DIGNITARIES and leading fire officers were out in force at the official opening of the fire brigade's new £6.5m headquarters this week.

The new offices, in Charles Hastings Way, Warndon, have housed Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service staff from Worcester, Droitwich and Bromsgrove since September.

High Sheriff Andrew Grant unveiled a plaque as part of the official opening ceremony on Monday. Mr Grant then toured the site, next to Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

Fire brigade spokesman Alec Mackie said: "The new building will free up existing accommodation in Droitwich, Bromsgrove and Worcester, so that we can all be under one roof and that way be more effective and efficient.

"Fire engines and the control centre are still based in Worcester, but the new building is being funded by the sale of other authority properties.

"The offices have new equipment and also a sprinkler system as part of our policy to encourage all schools and new buildings to have a similar system. We will be able to bring people up here to educate them about the importance of sprinklers."

Chief fire officer Paul Hayden and Godfrey Davies, chairman of the fire and rescue service, accompanied the High Sheriff around the building on Monday afternoon

Worcester Fire Station, in Deansway, was the authority's HQ since 1948, when the service was called the Worcester City and County Fire Brigade.

It became Hereford and Worcester Fire Brigade in 1974 and Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service last year.