Government officials and members of the Police Service beamed with pride yesterday during the formal re-opening of the newly-renovated Somerset Police Station.

Police Commissioner Colin Coxall opened the ceremony by thanking Government for providing the funds needed for renovations.

Coxall, in the past, complained that the station was in bad condition and that it needed to be refurbished.

"I am deeply grateful to Government for this project.'' he said yesterday.

Premier Pamela Gordon also addressed the small crowd, which included former and present officers stationed in Somerset and local dignitaries. She said she was pleased to see the Police Station was now "first class''.

Ms Gordon said officers could now go to work in a place they enjoyed, which was important for good policing.

Labour, Home Affairs and Public Safety Minister Quinton Edness was also on hand for the historic event.

He said: "I am confident that all officers operating out of this station will appreciate their improved working environment.'' He added: "Members of the public visiting the station will also benefit from the improvements.'' Somerset Police Station, in its new form, boasts a Criminal Investigation Department. The former Magistrates' Court will house nine CID officers, three prisoner holding cells, three interview rooms, computers and a communications room. Two locker rooms with showers for male and female officers have also been set up in the section of the building which was formerly the post office.

Renovation work began at the beginning of the year while officers worked out of a building at Daniel's Head, Somerset.

Allan Lister, Division Commander from 1969-1970, said the new building looked much better in its present form.