FOLLOWING months of rumours, Selby Police Station is being sold off, North Yorkshire Police have announced.

Police and Crime Commissioner Julia Mulligan announced today that staff at the Portholme Road site would now share space at the Selby District Council offices in Doncaster Road, following extensive discussions with the authority.

In April this year, the force and the PCC's office denied there were any plans to close the station, and as recently as July, told The Press no decision had been made regarding the site, where the cells and custody suite were closed in 2014 as part of cutbacks, with suspects instead taken to custody in York.

Today, Mrs Mulligan has announced local officers will move in with the council towards the end of 2016, once final details about extended car parking and planning permission have been satisfactorily completed.

The force said the current police station is "old, too large for requirements, in need of repair, and expensive to maintain", and the move could save police £120,000 a year compared to current costs.

Julia Mulligan said: "One question I get asked most often from members of the public is why different organisations can’t share facilities and save money. It is therefore very good news to be able to announce Selby police’s move to the district council building.

"This will save £120,000 per year and mean the police can work more closely with the council to keep people safe. Today’s announcement also quashes some rumours and confirms Eggborough and Sherburn stations are staying put."

New facilities at the civic centre will include offices, a briefing room and an area for the public to attend, but police will share reception, kitchen and meeting room facilities with the council.

Last month, the force also announced it close and sell Ripon Police Station, and move officers into a new purpose-built facility in the town, which would be shared with North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, and which the PCC claimed would also save £120,000 per year on maintenance of the older building.

Chief Constable Dave Jones said the move to the Selby council offices was "very positive news", and would give police "a much better base from which to serve the local community".