HUNDREDS of jobs have been secured and a county town's economic future boosted by a police force striking a multi-million pound deal to move its headquarters there.

North Yorkshire Police is set to complete the purchase of the 54,720 sq ft Alverton Court - the former Rural Payments Agency (RPA) offices in Northallerton, which it is understood could accommodate more than 400 staff - before the end of the summer as part of a 30-year plan.

The force, the largest single county force in England, is scheduled to move six miles from the base it has had since 1976 at a crumbling grade II listed property at Newby Wiske, after work to revamp the building is completed in 2017.

The move ends years of speculation over the new headquarters site following North Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Julia Mulligan pledging to find a more cost-effective base.

It is believed police staff will welcome the move, after voicing concerns for their jobs last year after the force abandoned a planned base in South Kilvington, near Thirsk, and said it would use some of Cleveland Police's facilities.

The town was left reeling after crippling public sector job losses in 2013, including 190 Northallerton Prison staff and 350 RPA workers, both in Government cost-cutting moves.

Mrs Mulligan said if the purchase was successful following due diligence checks, the £7m move would cost £12m less than the South Kilvington base and be £4m less than staying at Newby Wiske.

As the force needs to make £20m savings over five years - and possibly more following next month's emergency budget - the move would enable it to spend reserves on new IT equipment to make further savings.

It would also end disruption caused by power surges and flooding at Newby Wiske Hall, the future use of which the force is discussing with Hambleton District Council.

Alverton Court was selected for its modern facilities, transport links, central location and because many of the staff live in Northallerton.

Mrs Mulligan said: "Disruption to staff will be minimal, we will move as many there as we can."

Chief Constable Dave Jones added: “Alverton Court will provide accommodation that is more in line with our requirements as a modern police service.”

Councillor John Forest, Mayor of Northallerton, and Hambleton District Council leader Councillor Mark Robson said they were delighted by the move, which would generate a significant boost for the town's traders and help the regenerate the town as the council redevelops the prison site.

Charles Barker, chairman of Northallerton Retail & Business Forum, said: “A move of North Yorkshire Police's HQ to the heart of the county town would be great news for Northallerton and we would look forward to giving its staff a warm welcome.”