A FIRE station had a grand re-opening following a £400,000 refurbishment.

Waltham Abbey Fire Station, in Sewardstone Road, has had 40 metres of dual carriageway installed on its site to simulate a realistic environment for road crash accident training.

The building has also had improved meeting and conference facilities added as well as a general overhaul throughout.

The Fire Authority has said the stations high-tech facilities will now be used as a key training facility for members.

Dignatories attending the official re-opening included Essex Fire Authority members Eddie Johnson, Colin Finn and Liz Webster, and local district councillor Syd Stavrou.

Waltham Abbey station manager Andy Senior said: “The station has undergone a major refurbishment and now it is a modern fire station in keeping with the modern fire service and the roles we play within our communities.”