Urgent new emblem designs for Northern Ireland's new police force are to be commissioned by its scrutinising body, it emerged tonight.
With unionists bitterly opposed to the seven motifs suggested by the British government, the Policing Board has also asked for an extended deadline for coming up with an alternative.
At the board's second meeting today members decided to set up a working group to try to reach agreement.
Chairman Professor Des Rea said widespread public consultation will also play a role in a bid to resolve the controversial issue.
"If this group of members and the board reaches an agreed position on the new emblem this will have been done on the basis of cross-community support," he said.
Unionist members of the 19-member board still angry at the removal of the RUC emblem from the new uniforms reacted furiously to seven suggested designs released earlier this week by the Government.
Northern Ireland Secretary Dr John Reid has allowed less than four weeks for a decision.
PA