LEIGH Police Station is now closed to the public.

The Journal reported in December that the public enquiry counter at the Chapel Street station was shutting after a survey looking at the ways people contact emergency services was carried out by Greater Manchester Police.

Leigh MP Andy Burnham called on GMP to reverse their decision and more than 500 people signed a petition to keep the counter open.

But GMP have confirmed that residents can no longer call into the station for police enquiries.

It is one of 10 stations in Greater Manchester being closed to the public.

GMP say officer numbers will remain unchanged and the stations will still be used as bases for police staff and officers.

They added that members of the public will still be able to visit the stations for pre-arranged appointments and neighbourhood meetings will continue to take place within communities.