A POLICE force is hoping to raise more than £2m by selling off unwanted properties.

Members of the public will be able to bid for former police homes as 12 North Yorkshire Police properties go under the hammer later this month.

The buildings are a mixture of police houses, garages and a former police station.

Assistant Chief Constable Sue Cross said: "Two years ago North Yorkshire Police launched a programme to assess, evaluate and rationalise its estate.

"This was to ensure that every property in our possession supports operational policing and the estate is run as efficiently as possible, giving local taxpayers the best value for money.

"The properties for sale have been identified as no longer supporting operational service delivery and as such they can be sold.

"Most of the properties are residential, in good locations and will provide excellent family accommodation.

"The money raised from the sales will be ploughed back into the estates programme and will contribute towards the opening of local facilities."