POLICE are promising it will be business as usual when they move to a new police station.

The building, in St Aidan's Way behind Peterlee Leisure Centre, will come into operation at one minute past midnight, on Monday morning.

It has been built - at minimal cost to the force - as part of the multi-million pound redevelopment of the town centre and will be the base for 164 officers and 38 support staff.

This week, equipment and furniture is being moved from the old station in Yoden Way.

All police officers will be at the new building from 10pm on Sunday night.

Chief Inspector Carole Thompson said: "The message to the public is very much business as usual, albeit in a different location.

"The staff are all looking forward to the move as the new building has much improved facilities and better parking.

"To be honest, I don't think anyone will be sad to go as there simply was not enough room in the old station."

The new station has a custody suite of eight male and two female cells and four detention suites for younger prisoners. It also features better parking, which includes spaces for visitors. The outdated Yoden Way station has none.

It has an interview room in the foyer to allow people to speak confidentially, CCTV coverage and a computer-controlled heating system.

It has a direct link to the magistrates court next door, which is due to open the same day.

The Yoden Way station, which was built in 1964, will be demolished to make way for an Asda supermarket.

Development company Modus Properties has also built a fire station on the town's South-West Industrial Estate.

l The telephone number for the new police station remains the same, 0191-586 2621.