Police say they will be able to draw on more officers at key times under a new pooling system linking Ledbury and Ross-on-Wye.

Inspector Sue Thomas said the creation of the single team makes up to 12 officers available at peak times, such as pub closing, should a major incident occur.

Previously, Ledbury may have had only three officers to respond with back-up possible from stations like Hereford or Malvern.

The new system gives the Ledbury and Ross area a pool of 26 response officers and five sergeants, not including the beat managers, and it came into force on Sunday.

The officers are on duty according to a rota. Not all of them will be available at any one time and not all will be normally based at Ledbury.

Inspector Thomas said: "At any given moment there is a pool of response officers covering the South Herefordshire Section, with increased times for cover, more flexibility and increased cover at peak times."

The "blue light" response of officers having to travel from Ross to Ledbury has been timed at around ten minutes, making use of the M50. In the same way, Ledbury-based officers could find themselves called in to assist colleagues at Ross.

The response officers have been divided up into five smaller teams with five or six officers, with each one headed by a sergeant.

Sergeant Clive Edwards will retain a special responsibility for Ledbury itself.

The number of beat managers serving the Ledbury area has been doubled, from two to four.

Ledbury town beat manager Gordon Headon is to retire and PC Shirley Peters will take over. PC Keith Eyles will be the beat manager for Donnington, Eastnor, Wellington Heath, Colwall, Coddington, Mathon, Cradley and Bosbury.

PC Phil Berry will take on Castle Frome, Canon Frome, Stretton Grandison, Eggleton, Yarkhill, Ashperton and Tarrington.

PC Judy Carter will patrol Munsley, Pixley, Putley, Aylton, Little Marcle, Much Marcle and Woolhope.

Ledbury also has a new officer in the team. PC Mark Slade started duties on Sunday, having transferred from Surrey Police.