WORK on Hexham’s new £2.2m community fire station is on track to be completed by mid-December.

Firefighters are expected to move into the new facility, which is being built by altering and expanding existing buildings on the Hexham General Hospital site, before Christmas.

It will replace the existing fire station on the town’s Tyne Mills Industrial Estate, which was flooded during the deluge of Storm Desmond in early December.

A structure, which will house two fire engines and a swift water rescue unit is now visible on the site, along with a new state-of-the art training facility building.

Approved last year after a nine-week public consultation, the scheme is being carried out by Northumberland County Council.

The project is in partnership with Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, which manages the hospital.

Coun. Dave Ledger, deputy leader of the county council, said: “The new fire station will be a real asset to the local community.

“In addition to being better value for money for the Northumberland tax payer, relocating the fire station will allow the fire and rescue service to work in closer partnership with other key public service providers.”