The first image of West Bromwich’s new £7 million police station was released today as it was revealed work will start by the end of the year.

The terracotta and glass structure will be built on the corner of Moor Street and Bowater Street and will replace the ageing base in New Street.

Work is due to start by the end of this year and will take four to five months to complete.

Once the new building is completed the old tower block will be demolished and staff moved across to the new purpose-built headquarters.

The development is being brought forward by Tesco, which is spending a total of £200 million on the regeneration of the town.

Tony Fletcher, corporate affairs manager at Tesco, said a planning application is set to be submitted to Sandwell Council.

He said: “This will be our new regional headquarters and the final specifications are now being sorted out.

“The police station was designed in conjunction with the police, who told us exactly what facilities they would need.

“To meet the overall timescale we need to start work by the end of this year.

“The build itself will take around four or five months to complete.”

Plans for first phase of the new 37-acre development, including a Tesco Extra supermarket and shopping centre were approved by council planning chiefs last month.

Under the plans the police station and Cronehills Primary will be bulldozed to make way for a new Tesco Extra store, retails units and a hotel.

The police station development hit the headlines after it was revealed by the Express & Star that bricks for the new build will be imported from Belgium and are said to cost twice as much as standard bricks.

A contractor who will undertake the construction work is set to be confirmed next month.