A COLNE Valley MP has given assurances over GP services in Huddersfield.

Labour's Kali Mountford said she had spoken to a health minister about the controversial issue of merging Central Huddersfield and Huddersfield South primary care trusts.

And Ms Mountford said she had been told that family doctors in the Huddersfield area would continue to be run by two management boards.

A row flared between GPs in the two areas after a report by spending watchdog the Audit Commission suggested looking at the implications of working closer together.

But Ms Mountford, who refused to name the minister, was confident the status quo would remain.

"I have written, e-mailed and had a meeting with the minister," she said.

"I am quite confident from my contact with him that we will retain two trusts.

"It is Government policy for GPs to have close contact with their trust and community.

"That is what was wrong with the old health authorities."

She added: "Obviously this has caused friction, but I hope they can sort this out as soon as possible."

GPs in Central Huddersfield Primary Care Trust support a merger. They believed the Audit Commission was urging just one management board.

But GPs in the South Huddersfield Primary Care Trust are against the idea.