Weardale'S last surviving police station was reopened yesterday.

A deal between police and Stanhope Community Association saved the 130-year-old Stanhope police station and answered fears that the force was leaving the dale.

The association bought the High Street property from Durham Constabulary which is leasing back a fifth of the space as a base for beat and mobile patrol officers.

The modernised police office is equipped with the latest technology and accommodates Weardale beat sergeant John Curtis and eight constables, as well as volunteer parish constable Michelle Robson.

Digital technology is improving radio communications for the team, who moved into a temporary office in the Durham Dales Centre while improvements were carried out.

The chairwoman of Durham Police Authority, Councillor Anne Wright, opened the station yesterday.

She said rumours that Weardale would lose a police presence had been unfounded.

"The police authority are committed to community policing and community based police officers," she said.

"Wherever possible, we will work in partnership to provide good accommodation for our officers and for members of the public to visit."

Durham Chief Constable Paul Garvin said: "It is a really good base in the dale which is where we belong and where we want to be."

The chairman of Stanhope Parish Council, Councillor Harry Irwin: "We were worried for a long time about what was going to happen to our police station, so we are happy that this has come to fruition.

"The main thing is that it is a prominent position where everybody can see it. It is already being well used by both the police and members of the public."

The community association occupies the rest of the building, including the village's former courthouse, and youth club members have helped with renovations.

There are rooms for meetings and training, as well as for young people's activities including the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and an outdoor activities project.