THE inquiry desk at Burnley police station has been rehoused in a temporary cabin as work on a £50,000 refurbishment scheme gets underway.

The scheme is aimed at making the police station in Parker Lane more "user friendly" and should be completed by February 22.

Until then cabin facilities have been provided adjacent to the building and will be open between 8am to 8pm.

As well as making general improvements to the station the refurbishment work will include the installation of new doors to provide easier access for disabled callers and people with prams.

A separate inquiry area will be provided for people who need to speak to a member of police staff in confidence.

The original inquiry desk had no provision for private discussion between officers and members of the public.

There will also be provision for people to enter the building and use the police station outside normal opening hours. The telephone is currently in the doorway.

All the changes are being made as a direct result of feedback from station visitors made both informally and formally through a visitor questionnaire.

Chief Superintendent John Knowles, commander of the Pennine police station which covers Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale, said: "Burnley police station was built in the 1950s and although we have made minor changes to the public inquiry area over the years, surveys show that it is still not what people expect of a modern day police station."

He added: "Visitors have told us that the waiting area is not large enough, the doors are difficult to open if you are in a wheelchair and that it is almost impossible to talk an inquiry desk assistant in confidence because everyone else can hear.

"The refurbishment work will address all these concerns and make visiting the police station a more comfortable experience."