Police and council officers had their first glimpse inside their new base.

Hertsmere Borough Council will open a new reception area and police station at its civic offices in Elstree Way in the New Year.

Hertsmere Borough Council's leader Cllr Morris Bright and chief executive Donald Graham joined Chief Inspector Dean Patient for a sneak preview this week.

The reception, which will boast a payment kiosk, a new call system for customer services, and computer kiosks adapted for disabled people, will open in January.

Council leader Cllr Morris Bright said the opening of the new reception would strengthen the council's partnership with the police.

The new police station, which is being built on the side of the civic offices, will also be completed early next year and officers are expected to move in in April.

There will not be a front counter service but there will be a free telephone in the council reception area with a direct line to the force’s contact centre.