MAJOR changes are on the way for the North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service in a new home.

From next week, the brigade's headquarters in Northallerton will be moving to a location across the town.

Managers and most administrative staff will be switching from the existing premises in Crosby Road to an office block off Thurston Road.

About 70 staff will be making the switch from Monday, and the move will be completed - to a fully-operational site - by August 15.

However, the fire station and control room, together with the transport and supplies department, will continue to operate at the old site, behind the town's prison.

The brigade has pledged that any interruptions will be minor and kept to a minimum and the 999 service will not be affected. All existing telephone numbers will remain unchanged.

The brigade's communications manager, Steve Cluderay, said yesterday: "We have been in our existing premises for many years.

"It is now beginning to show its age.

"We have had difficulties with the roof leaking and other things and the offices are very cramped and obsolete for what we need them for.

"This will give people the chance to have much better surroundings to work in, and they are looking forward to the move."

The three-storey block that is about to become the new HQ has been leased by the brigade with an option to move after five years.

The switch follows the move of the brigade's training centre from Ripon to Easingwold a few years ago.

The Easingwold premises were purpose-built and include offices to which some staff transferred.

"We have been trying to find a site for the new headquarters for three or four years now," said Mr Cluderay.

The future of the old headquarters is unclear, but if a site is ultimately found for the town's fire station, it will likely be sold.