CHRISTCHURCH'S CCTV operation will be moved to the Civic Offices in the coming months.

Members of Christchurch council's resources committee made the decision to relocate the operation to the council offices at their latest meeting.

A number of options were presented to members for the relocation of the 41-camera operation.

They included moving it to Bournemouth, passing the system over to Dorset Police, ending it completely and moving it to the Safer Neighbourhood Team.

It is currently based at Christchurch Police Station, which is due to be closed, with officers relocated to Christchurch fire station.

The police station is no longer open to members of the public.

A spokesperson for the council said they were unable to give a specific date the transfer would take place due to ongoing works at the Civic Offices.

But consideration has already been given to the requirements for the installation of the transmission masts and consequent cabling and power requirements.

Installation of the new control room would be carried out after the current proposed refurbishment works are completed.

The system was upgraded in 2012 at a cost of £297,000, and is operated by staff around 100 hours a week.

Dorset's Police and Crime Commissioner, Martyn Underhill, has offered to pay for half of the relocation costs, up to a maximum of £72,000.

This may leave a balance for Christchurch council to find.

The Bargates site, which also includes the police station, magistrates court and car parking, could be transformed into a mixed development of homes, commercial units and public space.

A consultation is due to take place soon, with Aster Homes selected as the preferred bidder to develop the site.