Ambulance crews were given a New Year boost when it was revealed they could be moving into a state-of-the-art new station as early as April.

The service was told last October it would be evicted from its temporary premises at Westcliff Police Station within months because the police could no longer spare the space.

Worried workers feared the ambulances and 24 staff could be made homeless if nowhere else was found.

However, plans to acquire a site in Short Street in the heart of Southend are in the final stages and crews could move in before Easter.

Nick Booth, executive assistant at Essex Ambulance, said: "We have located a brand new industrial type unit which has minimal work to do.

"We are putting together a financial package and we have to get planning permission but the plans are drawn."

Published Thursday January 8, 2004

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