A FORMER police station will be used to train volunteer officers after developers loaned it back to the force free of charge.

Today it was revealed the move came about after Special Constable Simon Wilkinson persuaded bosses at Rossendale developers Hurstwood that it was a good idea.

Blackburn police left the building in Northgate in 2003 when they moved to a new out-of-town headquarters at Greenbank Industrial Estate.

Hurstwood bought the building in 2004 and plans including luxury flats, offices and even a hotel have been discussed for the building.

Only office space is currently being let out, with all other plans on hold until the adjoining Blackburn Magistrates Court moves, possibly to Barbara Castle Way, within the next five years.

In the meantime, whilst the lower floors, which were the former police station, stand empty, the developers have offered to let the police use them as a training base for the Special Constabulary at evenings and weekends.

Simon, from Rishton, runs his own firm and suggested the idea to business associates at Hurstwood.

Divisional Training Officer for Lancashire Police Jon Hart said: "This is excellent news as it allows all of the Special Constables based in Eastern Division to be trained in the area they will be working.

"Previously we have used facilities at the force headquarters to provide the necessary training. Also, this has an added bonus as it allows us to speed up the process of refresher training"

Hurstwood's Senior Development Surveyor Gary Taylor said: "This arrangement doesn't affect our plans for the building. It is being marketed for offices lettings and archive storage.

"If the lower levels become needed for offices in time then we will find the police another venue within Hurstwood to use for their special constabulary."

Special Officers' duties include policing local events, road traffic incidents, patrol duties, working with community beat teams and policing football matches.

They receive initial training at Hutton Police Headquarters over four weekends but will use the local base for ongoing divisional training.