A £750,000 project to create a joint fire and police station in Woodbridge has won a grant for more than half the projected cost.

The scheme is to receive £413,250 in 2014/15 and £21,750 the following year from a government innovation pot towards the creation of the new facility on the site of the existing fire station in Theatre Street.

Suffolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Tim Passmore said: “I am absolutely delighted that we have been able to successfully bid for this joint funding with the Fire Service. It is really important that Suffolk gets its fair share from these Government funding pots and I’d like to thank Suffolk Constabulary and fire service for their support in putting the bids together.

“Working together with other blue-light services is absolutely key to meeting the financial challenges that we face.

“I am very pleased with the four existing shared stations across the county, they save money and improve the joint working of our two key emergency services. This is excellent news for all of us.”

The new joint base will replace the old police station in Grundisburgh Road. The fire station will be extended to provide new office accommodation for police officers, plus a garage, and creation of eight new car parking spaces. Building work is set to start on October 6.