A CEREMONY to mark the early stages of work on a £2million state-of-the-art fire station is to be held next week.

Work has now begun on the Hyndburn Road fire station in Accrington, which will be the headquarters for Eastern division that covers Hyndburn, Blackburn with Darwen and the Ribble Valley.

It is expected to be completed next May.

A turf cutting ceremony, which will be attended by Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service personnel, civic leaders and representatives of the architects, builders and other partners will meet at the site on Wednesday August 7 to officially celebrate the start of the work.

Included in the ensemble will be Hyndburn's station commander Mick Holmes, who has worked closely with Manchester architects Carden Croft on the design.

This included ensuring its serviceability as a modern fire station, as well as incorporating other factors.

Mr Holmes said: "I was conscious of the fact that the new fire station will be the first public building drivers see on entering the town from the M65.

"As such and with the town's historical pre-eminence as a manufacturing centre for bricks, I felt that it should certainly be built of that material.

"Though equipped with every design feature necessary in a modern fire station, the building will have a traditional look suited to the area and reflecting its architectural heritage. We expect our firefighters to protect and serve the community to the best of their ability and it is only right that we equip them with the right tools to do the job.

"This is just as true for the fire station in which they are based as it is for the fire engines, breathing apparatus and other essential equipment today's firefighter must have.

"I am sure that we will have a fire station the people of Hyndburn can be proud of from every perspective."