Police chiefs today scotched rumours that a North-East headquarters is to be sold off in a £1m-plus deal.

Cut-price supermarket chain Lidl is believed to have made a substantial bid to purchase land where Newton Aycliffe police station, in County Durham, is based.

But the offer, which The Northern Echo understands was in the region of £1.1m, was rejected after being discussed by senior officers in the Durham Constabulary and the police authority.

They insisted that, far from selling off the police station - the headquarters of the Sedgefield division - the force would be investing more money in revamping it over the next 12 months.

Deputy Chief Constable Jon Stoddart confirmed that a bid had been received, but would not reveal the amount or the company involved.

He said: "We are not prepared to discuss the details, as they are a matter of professional confidentiality.

"However, the offer was discussed by both the force and the police authority, and rejected."

He added: "The force is totally committed to maintaining a police presence in Newton Aycliffe.

"That has never been in question and the existing police station will in fact be the subject of a major refurbishment during the current financial year."

The discussions over the future of the site were revealed by a serving police officer in the Sedgefield division.

He contacted The Northern Echo to raise his concerns, saying it was "disgraceful" that the force had considered the offer.

"I feel that as a resident of this area I am paying a large amount of my council tax to the police authority for the policing of this area," he said.

He also voiced fears about where local people would have gone for police assistance if the deal had gone through.

A spokeswoman for Lidl said the company would not comment on potential acquisitions or future plans.