The new shared Woodbridge Community Fire and Police Station has been officially opened.

Woodbridge fire station has been adapted to also become home to the Suffolk Constabulary’s local safer neighbourhood team as well as the two fire engines used by the retained fire crews.

It was formally opened by Colin Spence, Suffolk county councillor for public protection, and Tim Passmore, Police and Crime Commissioner for the county.

The work cost £740,000 and includes new office accommodation, improved staff facilities, and a community meeting space.

This is the fifth shared community fire and police facility in Suffolk.

Mr Spence said: “I’m very proud of the achievements being made by our fire, police and ambulance services to share property and the opening here of the shared Community Fire and Police station in Woodbridge is another very positive step forward.

“The benefits of sharing property are now well established in Suffolk and there are plans in place to increase the number of shared bases over the next two to three years, using the grant funding we have received from the government.”

Mr Passmore added: “I am absolutely delighted to see another shared base for police and fire in the county and particularly pleased that we were able to secure additional Government funding to finance the project.

“Working together with other blue-light services is absolutely key to meeting the financial challenges that we face. I am committed to building on this shared working over the coming years.”

Police in the town are set to relocate in June, at which point the existing police station in Grundisburgh Road will be closed and sold.