A PLAN has been submitted to extend Kidderminster Probation Service's base to provide headquarters for a service covering the entire West Mercia area.

Hereford and Worcester Probation Service wants to extend its Mill Street base in anticipation of the West Mercia Probation Service, which is set to come into being next April following a Government review.

An application has been submitted to Wyre Forest District Council for the extension at Stourbank House, which will involve extra office space on the first and second floors with additional car parking and landscaping.

Between 20 and 30 probation service employees are expected to move from other offices when the new base is up and running.

Stourbank House was opened by Prisons and Probation Minister Lord Williams of Mostyn in 1998 when the service moved from Kidderminster Magistrates' Court.

It also became the base for Shropshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire's Three Shire Unit, which deals with finance, personnel, property, health and safety and information technology.