WHITEFIELD police station has sprung back into action after being closed for refurbishment.

The Bury New Road premises closed to the public last October while facilities were upgraded and local community bobbies temporarily transferred to Prestwich.

After five months of refurbishment work, the station is now back up and running as normal and the public enquiry counter is open.

The counter has been much improved with special provision for the hard of hearing and disabled users and parking is also better.

The building has benefited from new windows, a new roof and modern re-wiring and telephone systems.

It will be home to 100 officers who are responsible for patrolling the streets of Whitefield, Prestwich and Radcliffe.

The front desk will be open from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday (except Bank Holidays) and 9am to 5pm at weekends.

Insp David Jones, head of Prestwich and Whitefield Township, said: "I am grateful for everyone's patience while we were working from the portable buildings, particularly our neighbours who endured builders' vehicles as well as the usual police cars."

An official launch of the new station will take place in the near future.