PLANS for a new police station in Atherton have taken a step forward after council chiefs identified their preferred site.

Bosses at Wigan Town Hall feel the best location is a cleared area in the grounds of Howe Bridge Mill in Gloucester Street, which is in the centre of the town. It would have a public counter, which would not have been the case with some of the other sites.

The final decision to go ahead with the new station rests with the police and is subject to planning permission.