A NEW police station will open in Great Harwood within the next six months at a former job centre.

Lancashire Constabulary will open at a new premises in Hesketh Street because the town's current police station in Blackburn Road has become outdated and run down, bosses said.

Around £500,000 had been set aside for the project and now bosses have signed on the dotted line and expect to move in by late summer.

Parts of the large dilapidated current police station have become redundant since the station's support unit was transferred to the specially designed Eastern division base at Greenbank in Blackburn.

Police bosses decided the station was then too big for its needs and decided to sell up.

The former job centre building will house an inquiry desk, reception area, locker rooms and two interview rooms, if the plans are approved by Hyndburn Council.

No cell provision has been included in the plans.

Police are still operating out of the Blackburn Road station and will not be able to move until redevelopment work has been carried out.

The force expects to recoup £270,000 by selling the old station - a price which is low because the building is in such a poor condition and would need extensive work, police said.

Coun Peter Clarke, of Overton ward, said: "We have needed a new police station for some time, as the current building is not up to scratch."