FUNDING worth £4.5million has been made available to build a new base for police in Rossendale, it has been revealed.

Lancashire Police Authority Resources Committee has set out a five-year capital programme in a bid to buy and redevelop a new site.

It is hoped the multi-million-pound complex will be ready for dozens of police officers and community beat managers to move in by 2009.

A location has been identified, but police today said they were unable to reveal details until negotiations had with the owner take place.

Anne Harling, of Lancashire Constabulary estates department, said: "Negotiations are in hand at the moment. Hopefully everything will come to fruition and will be in a position to give more details about the site in the next coming weeks.

"To reveal details about the site at this stage could be detrimental to our negotiations."

Plans for a £700,000 stone and glass construction on the site of the former Horace's Nightclub in Lee Street, Bacup, fell at the last hurdle when planners scrapped the proposals.

In Rossendale's draft area action plan, which is expected to be submitted to the Secretary of State later this year, the old market hall and police station and the former health centre on Yorkshire Street have been identified as key development sites. Suggestions include a hotel and apartments.

Rossendale Chief Inspector Sarah Oldham said: "There are number of options, one of which is an operating centre, but no final decisions have been made.

"Regardless of the final decision, we will have police sites in Bacup, Rawtenstall, Haslingden and Whitworth."

Pennine Divisional Commander Chief Supt Jerry Graham added: "We are keen to ensure that we have a presence throughout the valley and that officer numbers will not be affected.

"Indeed, if at all possible, we would actually like to increase the number of officers in the Rossendale Valley. "