VITAL repair and maintenance work on Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service's emergency vehicles and equipment is carried out at the heart of Leigh.

And on Friday the state-of-the art Technical Services Centre at Leigh Fire Station in St Helens Road in Leigh will be officially opened by Lord Peter Smith.

The centre is a modern and purpose built complex providing over 9,000 square metres of floor space, about the size of a rugby pitch, accommodating several different support sections, which had all previously occupied several separate sites.

The centre provides accommodation and facilities for the repair and maintenance of the Brigade's fleet vehicles, ladders, breathing apparatus and general equipment. It also houses the supplies section and the driver training school.

Work on the site commenced on the in April 2002 and was finally completed last August.

Fire Authority leader and Bedford/Astley Councillor Fred Walker said :"The new facility offers the capability to improve and enhance how we support the front line service in the future and represents a significant commitment by the Fire Authority to remain at the forefront of the fire and rescue service in the UK. The new facilities also represent some 70 new jobs in Leigh."

Chief Fire Officer, Barry Dixon said: "The previous facilities would have required a multi million pound refurbishment without offering the improvement opportunities we have now secured at this new site. This facility has been funded, in part, by the sale of other sites which are no longer required and has been designed to optimise support operations."