The closure of a police station won't go ahead after it emerged it could be sold off to a council.

The office of Kent's Police and Crime Commissioner ceased discussions with Tunbridge Wells Borough Council about the possible sale of the police station on Crescent Road.

Valuers visited the site in May after the council expressed its interest in the building to Matthew Scott, the current Police and Crime Commissioner for Kent, prior to his election.

Speaking about the end of sale talks, he said: "Having carefully considered all the information available, and the impact on local residents and businesses, I have decided against selling Tunbridge Wells Police Station.

"A sale would not be a good enough deal for the taxpayer at this time and would leave Tunbridge Wells without a police station, which is unacceptable to me.

"I travel all over Kent, listening to residents about their policing concerns and priorities. Since my election in May 2016, residents have consistently made it clear how important a strong local policing presence is to communities. I have strived to deliver this through 450 extra police officers, making it easier to report crime and speaking up for victims.

"I am therefore not prepared to sell Tunbridge Wells Police Station at this time and am committed to keeping a police station in the town."

Last year Kent Police cut the number of local officers based at Tunbridge Wells Police Station.

Officers from the District Policing Team now report to Tonbridge Station 6.4miles away in Pembury Road but still respond to incidents in Tunbridge Wells once on duty.

Any impact the change may have had was propped up by extra town centre officers being deployed in Tunbridge Wells town centre.

Read more: All the latest news from Tunbridge Wells