BACUP bobbies could soon be based at a new £500,000 headquarters -- in a former nightclub.

Officials are currently thrashing out a deal with the Co-op and Rossendale Borough Council, which jointly own the former Horace's nightclub land and building, hoping to conclude an agreement in the coming weeks.

The plan is to move the town's police station, currently based out of the way in Union Street, into the former nightspot off Market Street, which is highly visible and situated off the main road through the town centre.

A timescale of 18 months for the new police station to be fully operational has been set by the constabulary.

The night spot, which still displays the Horace's logo on the building, closed in June, 1997, due to lack of business.

The club has since stood empty since, attracting travellers who set up camp in its grounds. It has also been used as a dumping site for rubbish.

Steve Hodkinson, Lancashire Constabulary property services manager, will be in charge of the station's design and development.

He said: "We are looking at the Horace's nightclub site for the new police station but at the moment are still in negotiations with the Co-op and Rossendale Borough Council and would look for their support in this venture.

"Discussions are under way to acquire the site and the land but we have to make sure all the criteria are met.

"This site will mean the station is in a more prominent position and show people that the police are back in the public eye, which will help make them feel safer in the town.

"We don't know the exact staffing levels and whether the number of officers will be increased at the new HQ but it will certainly be a modern station with a fresh design.

"We have given ourselves 18 months to have the building refurbished and fully operational and look forward to concluding a deal as soon as possible".