BOLTON's new multi-million pound police headquarters is to be built by a company experienced in handling top projects.

Equion has been chosen to build the station after carrying out work for the Ministry of Defence in Whitehall.

It is also working on 22 other police force facilities around the country. The firm, a subsidiary of Laing Investments, will be building 16 other projects for the police across Greater Manchester, including divisional headquarters and deployment stations. The total contract is estimated at £81.5m.

Planners have given approval for the new police station to be built on the former Burnden Park site.

It is hoped the centre, which will replace the existing property on Howell Croft North, will be operational by the end of 2003.

Cllr Stephen Murphy, chairman of the Police Authority said: "These new facilities have been specially developed and designed to be highly approachable so we can expand our dialogue with the Manchester community.

"The new police stations will provide the facilities officers need to be most effective in their jobs."

David Wilmot, Chief Constable of GMP, said: "It is essential we continue to deliver the best service possible to Greater Manchester people.

"The new facilities will ensure our police officers and support staff are able to fulfil this goal."

Richard Weston, managing director of Equion, said he was delighted to be working in partnership with the Greater Manchester Police Authority.