Avon and Somerset Police say they'll have more cells to keep people in custody, and better welfare for them - as well as improved facilities for victims and witnesses ... as a major overhaul of their buildings begins.

The one hundred and thirty million pound project includes a new operations base in Bridgwater, a firearms training centre in Portishead and two new custody and crime investigation centres.

The scheme's being privately funded - and carried out by the Blue Light Partnership, with whom a contract's now been signed ... which the force describes as 'the final hurdle' before construction starts.