A RURAL police station which has been left unmanned for more than five years is set to reopen within weeks.

Lancashire Police has confirmed that two support assistants have been employed to operate the front counter of Longridge police station, Fleet Street, from the end of next month.

The announcement was today welcomed by the town's mayor, who said it was something the community had been calling for over several years.

For as long as Longridge police station has been part of the Eastern Division - since 1999, when it was handed over from Preston's Central Division - it has been open only on an ad-hoc basis, with local officers popping in on the hour, every hour, and then only if they weren't dealing with something else in the area.

Around £40,000 has been spent by the police and Ribble Valley Council on refurbishing the building to provide a larger waiting area, and better interview rooms for the public.

The council has used the police station for the last three years as a base for collecting council tax following a raid at their previous base, in Longridge Town Hall, Berry Lane.

As part of the revamp, the council now has its own dedicated counter within the police station, which can also be used as a front counter for other council services if need be.

Insp Bob Ford, of Clitheroe Police, said: "Disabled access has also been improved to the building to meet with disability legislation.

"For as long as the station has been part of this division, it has been open only when an officer could pop in. We try to send someone in for a few minutes on the hour, every hour and people in Longridge knew that was when they should go.

"But even then that was only if nothing else was happening. The two members of staff start work next week, but training means that the station probably won't open regularly until the end of April.

"The hours have yet to be confirmed but they will be much improved on what people are used to."

Coun Jim Rogerson, mayor of Longridge and a borough councillor, said: "The public reaction to this news has been very positive.

"We are very pleased it is happening, and it is something we have wanted for several years. The improvements to the disabled access are particularly welcome."