A £1m fire station has opened in east Durham and it has not cost ratepayers a penny.

The Peterlee fire station is a gift to the town from development company Modus Properties

In return for a land deal enabling the company to carry out the multi million pound redevelopment of Peterlee's retail centre, Modus agreed to fund the new fire station, as well as a court house and police station.

After bidding farewell to the town centre base that has been home to the service since 1958, fire officers have moved into their smart new premises on Peterlee's South West Industrial Estate.

County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Brigade press officer, Station Officer Dave Turnbull said that while everyone held fond memories of the old station officers were looking forward to working in the new facilities.

Describing the new building as the best of its kind in the country SO Turnbull said: "It will prove a godsend and it hasn't cost the ratepayers a penny."

Construction work on the station began less than a year ago and its location only yards from the A19 will help appliances to cover the area much more quickly.

The station also includes a safety centre, which features a full size model of a house with bedrooms, a living area and kitchen, set behind a glass wall, which will allow fire officers to stage demonstrations of how quickly smoke and flames travel through a home.

Community fire safety lectures will also be given from a classroom, which will be open to young and old.

SO Turnbull also revealed that the station's appliances are equipped with the most modern cutting gear in the country.

While conceding that the move from the town centre premises had been tinged with sadness, he said that the old building had become out of date.

The new station will also include sleeping quarters, a gymnasium and a staff canteen.