A FIRE station which was controversially closed amid budget cuts three years ago has now been sold.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) said a private company had bought Haworth Fire Station for £340,000, £65,000 above the asking price.

Brigade chiefs declined to name the buyer, which they said was a West Yorkshire firm, but said the proceeds would be ploughed back into its firefighting work.

Senior technical services manager Noel Rodriguez said: “Now that the building is no longer our responsibility we hope that whatever it is transformed into will benefit the local community.

“We are glad to have sold the building for above the valued price, the money from the sale will be reinvested back into WYFRS and into the maintenance and development of excellent service to the communities of West Yorkshire.”