Police are being inundated with requests from people wanting to visit a new 7m station.

The new building, in Marcham Road, Abingdon, replaces the tiny Bridge Street station, which had been the Abingdon sector base since 1879. The old station is now owned by the Vale of White Horse District Council which is considering converting it to offices.

Home Secretary Jack Straw is due to open the enormous new base on May 26 and the final touches are being put in place this week.

But an open day planned for May 28 is expected to be so popular it will be a ticket-only event. About 1,000 tickets will be distributed via shops and public venues. Anyone arrested on the day is expected to be taken to Didcot as visitors view the 13 new prison cells at Marcham Road.

Insp Graham Sutherland said: "We have already had tonnes of requests from people who want to see the new station. People are very curious.

"But we need to be careful of the numbers we admit on the day."

The station is manned by 150 civilian support staff and police officers. It incorporates specialist departments such as the restorative justice team.

Abingdon's extensive CCTV network will also be monitored from Marcham Road.

*The new phone number for Abingdon police station is 01235 556850.