CASH from the sale of Worcester's old police station has helped fund a massive expansion for West Mercia police.

The force has bought the training building and 249 acres of agricultural land from Hindlip College of Agriculture, which adjoins its headquarters.

The college is scheduled to close next summer and the move is being lauded as bringing "tremendous" benefits to the force.

Police are not disclosing how much they paid for the sites until contracts have been exchanged.

The college includes purpose-built classrooms, a library area and student facilities, as well as office accommodation.

"This acquisition will bring tremendous benefits to the force and to the public without any impact on our everyday policing budget," said Police Authority chairman Brian Watkins.

"The money for this strategic purchase has been raised entirely through capital from the sale of properties, including the old Worcester Police Station at Deansway.

"One important advantage in acquiring the college facilities is the fact that this will help us to respond effectively to the increased training demands arising from the recruitment of additional officers."

Mr Watkins said the force has attracted regional and national police courses.

"The additional accommodation will now provide us with a greater capacity to extend these activities and to generate further valuable income for the constabulary," he said.

"The need for increased specialist support for present day operational policing activities is placing tremendous pressure on our existing accommodation at Hindlip and the extra ready-made offices on our doorstep will help resolve this problem."

He added that the purchase of college land would enable the force to take control of the area surrounding its headquarters - vital for security levels.

But, in general, the land will remain in agricultural use and will be let out to professional farmers to create more money for the force.

"We've been policing at Hindlip for more than half-a-century and this purchase has assured our future at our current headquarters for at least the next 50 years," he said.