A POLICE telephone line which could be the oldest number across a force will be replaced.

The line at Sedgefield police office has been in existence for at least 80 years but is due to be phased out, along with other local numbers, and replaced with a non-emergency number.

Durham Police Force telephone network manager Simon Land said: "The police office at Sedgefield dates back to 1903 and records held by British Telecom show that its phone line was taken over by post office telephones from the national telephone company in 1924.

"It's possible that the line existed before that time, making it a likely candidate for the force's oldest telephone number."

The new telephone number has been in use since November to deal with routine, non-emergency calls.

In April, anyone dialling the discontinued numbers will hear a recorded message asking them to dial the new number.

Chief Inspector Darren Ellis said: "While 999 remains the option for people facing a crisis, the new number is for a call of a more routine nature."

The new non-emergency telephone number for the people of County Durham and Darlington is 0845 6060 365.