NAILSWORTH town councillors are in the process of moving the Tourist Information Centre to new premises.

The town council is in the legal stages of purchasing the former police station on Old Market.

It plans to move the TIC on George Street into the police station to create a municipal centre, as it also owns the Mortimer Room next door, which adjoins the library.

Nailsworth mayor Steve Robinson said: "That part of town will make a lovely civic centre. I think in years to come the people of Nailsworth will thank us for owning the majority of that part of town."

At a meeting in April, the council unanimously agreed to purchase the police station, car park and outbuildings at a cost of £119,000.

A 20 year loan will be taken out, which will paid for by the saving on the £8,000 a year rent currently being paid on the current Tourist Information Centre.

Planning permission from Stroud District Council has been applied for to make sure the building can be used for the intended purposes.

Nailsworth information centre is run by a group of volunteers.

Janet Gower, 74, said: "We all seem to in favour of the move. I am hoping it is going to be big enough as we have a lot of space in the current premises.

"We will miss being in the centre, but with it being close to the library I think it will be a good thing."

Nailsworth police station closed six months ago and is one of 12 stations being sold be Gloucestershire Police Authority as part of a four-year £18million savings plan.

Some improvements need to be made, including a disabled entrance and new picture windows and the outbuildings will stay as they are until the council decide on a use for them.

Nailsworth Town Council hopes the TIC will be operating from the former police station by summer next year.