THE pleas of Hampshire villagers could still keep the doors open on a valued police station that has been earmarked for closure by constabulary chiefs.

Members of force overseers, the Hampshire Police Authority, have vowed to keep all options open until they have heard from those affected by plans to shut the doors on the base in Netley for good.

As reported in the Daily Echo, the authority is holding a special public meeting in the village itself to debate the controversial plans supported by the head of the force's Eastleigh division.

Superintendent Russell Tribe says closing the run-down station and basing its detachment of officers at Hedge End would make the service more efficient.

He will be recommending the step to the county's chief constable despite concern in the village and surrounding parishes.

But Michael Knott JP, chairman of the Eastleigh Police and Community Liaison Group, has assured locals that his fellow members of the police authority - which oversees the efficiency and effectiveness of the countywide force - have yet to make up their own minds.

Mr Knott told the Echo: "We have heard the views of the constabulary and await to hear the views of the residents of the affected area before forming our own views on the future policing of Netley Abbey and before a final decision is made by the chief constable."

The promise comes after local MP David Chidgey added his voice to concerns over the planned closure of the station.

Lib Dem Mr Chidgey said: "Netley residents will be very worried at the prospect of losing their police station. They will feel even more remote without a local presence of police "bricks and mortar". I hope that as many local residents as possible will join me at the meeting. Together we must ensure our villages get the level of policing they need."

The meeting will take place at 7.30pm on Wednesday, November 22, at the Abbey Hall, off Netley's Abbey Hill.