THE Moreton Area Centre is set to become a one-stop shop for police, council and tourism services this weekend.

From tomorrow (Saturday), the Police Point is transferring from its current location in Moreton library, to the Cotswold District Council-run building in the High Street.

The move which will offer a more convenient town centre location, with extended opening hours.

Councillor Lynden Stowe, Leader of Cotswold District Council, said: "We are pleased to welcome the Police as a partner at the Moreton Area Centre.

"The new Information Point will definitely benefit from being in the heart of the town centre, and the counter service will be easily accessible because it is on the ground floor.”

Martin Surl, The Police and Crime Commissioner for Gloucestershire, said the force enjoys a good working relationships with the council.

"This new initiative should strengthen those ties," he said. "When police representatives are not present at the Area Centre, we have arranged for the Council’s staff to direct important calls to Stow Police Station.

"However, they will be able to deal with a range of administrative tasks such as the production of driving documents, and dealing with lost and found property.”

Following a period of public consultation during February and March 2011, Gloucestershire

Police Authority announced its decision to close 14 police stations countywide - including Moreton - and replace them with ‘police contact points’ in a bid to cut costs.

Councillor Alison Coggins, Chairman of Moreton Town Council, added: “We already know that residents in Moreton have been looking forward to the opening of this new Police point at the Area Centre because it should raise the profile of the Police in the town by providing better access to officers.”

Council services and the visitor information facility will continue to operate as normal from the Area Centre.

The opening hours at Moreton Area Centre are 8.45am to 4pm on Mondays, 8.45am to 5.15pm Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, 8.45am to 4.45pmon Fridays and 10am to 12.30pm on Saturdays.