Stafford police firearms training centre to be built

The firing range will be at the force's Stafford headquarters

Plans for a £15m training centre for armed police have been approved.

The planned centre is described as a "high-quality training venue to meet the firearms training requirements of Staffordshire Police for the next 40 years."

Currently, the force leases an outdoor site near Eccleshall, but there have been a number of problems there, including noise complaints.

The new shooting range will be built at the force's Stafford headquarters.

Plans for the two-storey hub and training facility, on Weston Road, have been backed by Stafford Borough Council.

Three existing buildings, which contain a mix of offices and training space, will be demolished to make way for the new development.

The ground at the existing shooting range in Eccleshall is said to be unusable at times, as it is prone to freezing, flooding and baking, which has an impact on training.