A NEW building housing a vital public service was opened in an up-and-coming area of Middlesbrough yesterday.

The Cleveland Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) launched its premises in Hudson Quay, Middlehaven. At the opening, the head of the service, Sir Ken MacDonald QC, unveiled a plaque.

The decision was taken to move to the modern site after the building housing the CPS, near Middlesbrough train station, became rundown.

More than 100 staff work for Cleveland CPS.

Sir Ken said: "CPS Cleveland is one of our best-performing areas in the country. It has very good results. This will be of benefit to the people in the community.

He added: "I think this whole area is going to be developed. I think the new building is a sign of the growing stature of the organisation."

Acting chief crown prosecutor at Cleveland CPS, Keith Simpson, said: "You can see the benefits just by looking around. We are really pleased about being the first people in here and it is a big difference to the old building.

"It is a great environment."