POLICE in Chester-le-Street are to lose their social club to make way for offices.

To the dismay of some in the ranks, forces across Britain have had to examine the viability of their clubs since an Audit Commission report in 1999.

One officer at Chester-le-Street, who asked not to be named, said: "From our perspective it's a handy place to go for a drink after work to socialise, certainly after a stressful day.

"In the past we've also had some successful functions there.

"I was speaking to someone a few days ago who was gutted that it is going to close. It certainly will be a loss. It used to be a real focal point."

He added: "A lot of ex-police officers and their partners or widows still use the club on a regular basis and that's going to have some kind of impact as well."

The officer said that the club still played an important part in many older members' social lives, although it was not used as much by younger officers.

Police clubs usually house a canteen and bar where staff can buy affordable meals and drinks or hold functions.

The 1999 Audit Commission report, called Action Stations, recommended that police stations assessed the need to keep police clubs open in relation to forces' operational needs.

Since the report's publication, Darlington police station has lost its social club and Seaham police lost their facilities before they were relocated to a new site.

Consett police have reduced the size of their club.

A spokeswoman for Durham Constabulary said the facility would close either next month or in May because more space was needed for its core business.