AN international construction group is favourite to win the contract to build a £13.5m privately-funded police station on Teesside.

Dutch company Hollandsche Beton (HBG) were yesterday revealed by Cleveland Police Authority as the preferred bidder for the centre, which will include a 50-cell custody suite.

It is thought the base will be built on the Middlehaven site, in Middlesbrough, close to the town centre and within easy reach of all main roads.

As well as paving the way for the return of 22 officers to the beat, the station will also include a GP's surgery and offices for youth offending teams and bail support workers.

Police Authority chairman Councillor Ken Walker described the project as 'one of the most ambitious Private Finance Initiative (PFI) schemes undertaken by the police force in the country'.

PFI cash will also be used for a new headquarters and cells for the Langbaurgh district, refurbishment at Hartlepool police station and new community police offices in Middlesbrough, Redcar and South Bank.

Speaking yesterday, Coun Walker said: "This is a development that will make an impact on providing high-quality policing to the people served by the Cleveland Force.

One of the benefits of which will be, through more modern and efficient facilities, we should be able to release a significant number of officers for operational duties."