The new state-of-the-art Barrow police station will become fully operational on Saturday.

When the £8.6m, eco-friendly build opens it should help to improve the service the police provide to the community and allow staff to work more effectively.

The facility, in Andrews Way, will house up to 300 staff in an open plan environment, allowing officers to promote information sharing which senior officers say will lead to more effective policing.

Chief constable Jerry Graham said: “It all still feels very new but overall there are plenty of smiling faces from the staff. For too long we have been working in substandard conditions.

“It was so crucial to get the new police station because the old Barrow police station in Market Street was one of the poorest about.

“This is a building for the public and we understand there has been concern from residents in Ulverston but we are confident policing will be as good as before.”

The modern station offers a large 18-cell custody suite which will provide more secure access and greater space for interviews and consultations.

Officers will now be able to book people into custody more smoothly, with less aggravation, allowing them to operate at a faster capacity.

Cumbria police and crime commissioner, Richard Rhodes, says the station will be appropriate for modern-day policing.

He said: “All the old police buildings mounted up high running costs and it was not cost-effective to maintain them.

“With this new building we will be absolutely saving money and it ensures we will have better access to the public.”

During the building process, up to 80 per cent of labour was locally sourced. The Barrow police station has a 60-year life span and can be recycled in the future.

South Cumbria’s Superintendent, Rob O’Connor, said he was delighted with the new base and that it would only enhance policing in the area.

He said: “I am excited to see the new station in full operation because it has already given the staff a huge lift and brought them closer together.”

The new Barrow police station will be open from 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week starting from Saturday.

There will also be a police desk available at The Forum, Duke Street, Barrow on a weekday basis from 10am to 1pm.