KIDDERMINSTER ambulance station is being given a £141,000 facelift to bring it into the 21st Century.

Hereford and Worcester Ambulance Service NHS Trust has decided to upgrade the station to bring it up to scratch and to the same level as other bases across the county.

The scheme has been planned with the help of the town's ambulance crews and has been in the pipeline for nearly a year.

"We have fully consulted staff throughout regarding the form this refurbishment should take because they know better then anyone else what needs doing," said Steve McGuinness, director of operations at the Trust.

"We are making a substantial investment in them and their surroundings so their assistance and advice has been very useful.

"This new development is particularly appropriate at a time when we are officially one of the best ambulance services in the entire country, and Kidderminster is one of our top districts."

The refurbishment will provide crews with new shower facilities, kitchen, dining area, heating system, double-glazing and a rest and relaxation room.

A resources suite equipped with computers will also be fitted out to help increase staff knowledge.

The cash for most of the development has been taken from the Trust's capital reserves, but £25,000 has been donated by the ambulance station's charity account to create a conservatory at the front of the building.

The building work is due to finish later this year and will be carried out by Meades of Evesham.

Staff will be relocated to new rented premises in Kidderminster while the development is being carried out.