A CEREMONY will be held to mark the start of work on the new £30m north Kent police headquarters.

Police chiefs and contractors will meet at the site at noon on October 2 for the ceremony, before work officially begins on the four-storey building.

The new 11,500sq m station in Thamesway, Northfleet, will boast a 40-cell custody suite and a communal area with restaurants and meeting areas.

North Kent area commander Chief Superintendent Gary Beautridge said: "North Kent enjoys diverse communities which deserve a centre which can help deliver policing effectively and efficently."

He added: "Having all our operations under one roof will certainly allow us to continue to achieve this."