Members of the community across Merseyside have been "shocked and horrified" to learn of major changes planned for police .

Merseyside Police Authority has been staging a series of public meetings - including one in Wirral - to explain what lies ahead for the force.

Under discussion have been Government proposals to introduce directly-elected police commissioners, cuts to central funding, and opportunities for collaboration with other authorities and forces.

Labour chairman of the MPA, Bill Weightman, a member of Knowsley Council, said: "People attending our meetings so far have been shocked and horrified to hear the Government’s plans to replace police authorities with directly elected police and crime commissioners.

"So far everyone from MPs to local councillors to our local journalists here in Merseyside have expressed concern for these plans.

"Now our open public meetings are giving the man and woman on the street the opportunity to have their voices heard and we’re being asked why ordinary people don’t have a say in this matter."

He continued: "Pople at our meetings to date have expressed anger they could be losing 17 police authority members, including their local representatives, to be replaced by one person who may or may not have the will or the capacity to represent all of our communities in Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral.

"This is something Merseyside Police Authority is proud to do well, and will continue to do as long as we can."

Wirral Conservative group leader Cllr Jeff Green said: "I can understand the chairman of an authority that is about to be abolished would feel unhappy about it.

"However, I believe most members of the public will welcome having a single point of accountability that a police commissioner would represent.

"We now need to find a person with ability to deliver that responsibility."

In Merseyside, Government cuts mean the MPA is facing a £61.4m black hole in its accounts over the next four years.

The cuts have been described by its chief executive as the "most significant financial challenge in its history."

The authority has to save £20m next year and a further £18.5m by 2013.

After that the problems will be the responsibility of an elected commissioner.