POLICE stations are being opened longer at night after concerns that being shut up too early was sending out the wrong message.

However, a review failed to support a return to stations being opened 24 hours-a-day in the Eastern Division, covering Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley.

Chief Superintendent David Mallaby ordered the review after taking over as commander of the division in April this year.

It followed concerns that inquiry desk closing times had been set too early, following a review in September 2001. Police stations across the county were subject to similar changes.

But in the next fortnight, the inquiry desks at Blackburn station on the boulevard and the Greenbank headquarters in Whitebirk will be opened for two hours longer every night.

It is expected that Hyndburn and Longridge stations will follow by the end of the financial year in April.

No changes are being made for Darwen, Great Harwood or Clitheroe stations as the current closing time of 8pm is thought to be correct.

Today campaigners welcomed the move. Leader of Hyndburn Council Peter Britcliffe said: "I am delighted because the opening hours had caused problems for residents.

"People were quite dismayed about the loss of service and will welcome this."

Chairman of Hyndburn Taxi Association Mohammed Arif, said the move was a step in the right direction, but promised to continue fighting for longer opening hours. He added: "I would like them to be open for 24 hours a day at the weekends because it gives members of the public and drivers more confidence."

The introduction of the extended hours is being staggered because Mr Mallaby will not allow police officers to sit behind desks to keep the stations open.

Therefore, Lancashire Constabulary needs to recruit and train people to man the inquiry desks.

Blackburn town centre station will now close at 10pm from Monday to Wednesday and at 2am from Thursday to Sunday.

Greenbank station will shut at 10pm everyday.

Mr Mallaby said: "My single biggest priority is that we can deliver a service that the community wants and one of the ways of doing that is allowing police stations to be open for longer to satisfy what we believe to be a need.

"There has to be a balance between the demand that is placed by the number of people visiting and the opening hours.

"It costs to staff police stations and that cost means we cannot do other things with the money.

"There is no demand for police stations to be open for 24 hours-a-day and I would never support that, as there is no need.

"We do believe there is a demand for the stations to be open a little later a night."