HAMPSHIRE Police have sealed the deal to buy Mottisfont Court in Winchester from the county council.

The purchase for £1.5m, was completed yesterday (November 19), following exchange of contracts on Friday, November 9.

Mottisfont Court on the High Street will be the new police headquarters, replacing the current HQ on Romsey Road and the originally proposed new base at Alpha Park in Chandler's Ford.

The purchase is the first major acquisition of the force’s Estate Development Programme, to reflect the reduced budget.

Refurbishment of Mottisfont Court is due to start in 2013 and it should be occupied by up to 200 HQ staff by the end of the year.