The county's police have a permanent base in Gloucester city centre again after a three-year absence - and are £400,000 better off.

Bearland at Shire Hall was home to Gloucester Police for half a century but officers moved out when the Gloucestershire County Council building underwent major refurbishment.

But on Saturday, November 10, a new police reception area will be officially opened at Bearland in Lower Longsmith Street.

Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Martin Surl surrendered the Constabulary's 230 year lease on the Bearland building to Gloucestershire County Council in 2015 in exchange for £400,000 and a fresh agreement for rent free accommodation on the ground floor following modernisation.

Mr. Surl said, "It has been a complicated project and there is still some work to be done to the rest of the building. But at least the police are once again in a city centre location which they know and the public recognise.

"The location has made it a difficult job to manage and I am grateful to the county council for allowing the police to move back into their part of the building at the first realistic opportunity.

"I hope this will help both the county and city councils in the continued redevelopment of the city centre and the Blackfriars Development".

A number of city-based officers and PCSOs will operate from Bearland to help police Gloucester Quays, the city centre and the night-time economy. The new police reception desk at Bearland will become available to the public from Thursday 8 November opening Monday to Saturday from 8am - 8pm.

Officers and PCSOs will also be based at Barton Street.