RESIDENTS battling to save the police house in Preston Candover have lost their year-long fight.

Local beat officer Pc Andy Reid has now been given notice to quit the building by the end of next month.

And once he has found alternative accommodation and moved out, a survey will be conducted into the Preston Candover site's potential.

Depending upon the outcome, the property could be put up for sale in time to catch the summer market.

Hampshire Constabulary announced it would be following its policy of selling off police houses when former local beat bobby Pc Bob Such retired last May.

Superintendent Paul Netherton, head of Basingstoke police, had been trying to strike a deal with Kingfisher Housing Association to buy the property which the police would then rent - but negotiations fell through.

Several of the 13 rural parishes served by the Candover beat fear the community will lose its full-time police presence if Pc Reid is forced to move out of the area.

But Supt Netherton said he is committed to keeping the popular bobby as the local beat officer and has revealed negotiations are now under way with Preston Candover and Nutley Parish Council to construct a new police office at the back of Preston Candover village hall.

"The office will act as a base within the area for Pc Reid and a central contact point for the public, available to all the parishes in his beat," he said.

"There will be no change to the service currently provided by Pc Reid, and we are committed to that.

"Police coverage and police presence in the area will remain as normal and we will continue to provide the best police service possible."

Cllr Ian Morrison, chairman of Preston Candover and Nutley Parish Council, said early estimates for the new office came in around the £20,000 mark.

Plans are currently being drawn up and it is hoped a planning application will be submitted to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council in the near future.

"We have held preliminary discussions with Hampshire Constabulary and it is hoped they will provide a significant grant towards the cost," said Mr Morrison.

"We also intend to approach Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council for help, and hope to have the new office up and running by late autumn.

"We are obviously disappointed to lose the police house, but are delighted to keep Pc Reid, who is an excellent officer."

In the meantime, arrangements will be made for a mobile police office to be set up in the area to ensure residents can still make contact with Pc Reid.

First published: Monday, April 18, 2005