HAMPSHIRE'S fire and police services are a step closer to sharing headquarters after the Government announced a £2.6million grant.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service has been successful in its bid to fund the move, which will see both them share their current base in Leigh Road, Eastleigh, with Hampshire Constabulary.

Earlier this year the Daily Echo reported that the police had been successful in a bid for £1million to make the move happen.

And the move, which could see the police force's strategic headquarters transfer to Leigh Road next autumn, is a step closer to reality after the Government announced the fire service's funding bid had been successful.

While the police's strategic headquarters will move to Leigh Road, the constabulary's operational headquarters will remain in Mottisfont Court, Winchester, which was bought from Hampshire County Council for £1.5million in 2012.

The Leigh Road complex is now set to be refurbished to meet the needs of the police force.