POLICE chiefs, civic leaders and schoolchildren joined forces to take part in the opening of the region's newest police station.

Guests gathered outside the million pound station at Seaham on Friday to watch a commemorative plaque unveiled by Durham Police Authority Chairman, county councillor Joe Knox.

Councillor Knox said the building was another example of the Police Authority's drive to improve access to policing services for the county's communities.

It was, he said, the third new station to be opened in recent times, the others being at Peterlee and Spennymoor.

"There was a time when we lost site of police on the beat, but we have now gone back to traditional policing and in Durham Constabulary we have increased the number of officers by 300," he said.

He praised Durham's Chief Constable George Hedges, who retires in September, for his vision and imagination in expanding the force and its accessibility.

Mr Hedges in turn applauded the police authority for its unstinting support of the force. He said the opening of the three stations in the county's larger conurbations and six new smaller offices across the county stood testament to their joint commitment.

After the opening, guests, including Easington's MP John Cummings, were taken on conducted tours of the station, which is located next to a roundabout linking The Graham Way, The Avenue and New Strangford Road.

The building, which has been opera-tional since April, replaces the sea-front premises built in 1860. The Grade II listed building is now in the ownership of private developers which plans to convert it into flats.