ARCHITECT Niven has won a contract to refurbish police stations across part of the region to provide better access for the public.

Work has already begun to turn the designs produced by the Darlington practice into improvements at ten stations across County Durham.

The £465,000 project will create bigger reception areas, dropped counters for wheelchair users, fixed seating, better notice boards and brighter colour schemes that reflect Durham Police’s corporate look.

Architect Andrew Mitton said: “We are delighted to be working with Durham Constabulary once again on this project to refurbish reception areas.

“I’m sure visitors will appreciate the improvements.”

Stations that will undergo the transformation include Spennymoor, Darlington, Chester-le-Street, Newton Aycliffe, Barnard Castle and Consett. Improvements at Crook and Seaham have been completed and the overall project will run until March.

Niven Architects has also been appointed to refurbish the custody suite at Peterlee police station and the scenes of crime officers’ area and senior officers’ suite at the force’s Aykley Heads headquarters, in Durham City.

Kenneth Kelly, properties services manager at Durham Police, said: “I am pleased to be working with Niven Architects on these projects.

“The designs and layouts that have been proposed will make for a more user-friendly and accessible public areas along with a more corporate image for the constabulary.”