THE oldest police station in a county has closed after being in use for more than a century.

Officers based at Stanhope police station, in Weardale, County Durham, are now operating from a unit at the nearby Durham Dales Centre.

Inspector Tony Avery, from Durham Police, said the original station was part of a complex built in the late 1800s, which also contained an inspector's house and the magistrates' court.

He said: "It was converted into a community centre some years ago and we leased back the police office, but we simply outgrew it."

In 2003, a deal between Durham Police and Stanhope Community Association saved the 135-year old station amid fears it would close.

The association bought the High Street property from the force, which leased back a renovated section of the building.

Insp Avery said the new office had more space and was more suited to modern policing needs.

Established in 1990, the Durham Dales Centre also houses a tourist information centre, cafe, and conferencing and training facilities.

The former police station is still in use by the association for meetings and training, as well as for young people's activities, including the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and an outdoor activities project.

Insp Avery said: "We have ten police officers and community support officers working from Stanhope, and the unit at the Dales Centre is far more suitable.

"In addition, our presence there should hopefully increase the daily contact we have and the reassurance we can offer to local people using the facilities, as well as visitors to the centre."

The new office will be in use from 8am to 10pm. Its opening times will depend on staffing, but the police station at Crook is staffed round-the-clock. To ring either office, call 0845-60-60-365.