Front-line emergency workers in Bradford are looking forward to moving into their two new bases early in the new year.

The new Bradford fire station in Leeds Road and the new central police station in Nelson Street are both expected to open in January.

The state-of-the-art facilities, costing a total of £14 million, are expected to come as a boost to the city and its residents.

Councillor Kris Hopkins, leader of Bradford Council, said the new stations were a "crucial part" of plans to improve the whole infrastructure of Bradford.

He said: "We are the fourth largest metropolitan district and we need the best possible emergency services to look after our citizens."

Coun Hopkins said the quality design and modern architecture of the new stations would blend well with traditional buildings to improve the composition of the city.

A spokesman for the West Yorkshire Fire Service said: "We are expecting our new station to open in mid-January, although we don't have an exact date as yet.

"The key thing is to have fire stations placed strategically and much of the population of Bradford has moved out of the city centre in recent years and into the area where the new station is located.

"There's also no longer the massive old mills with all the fire risks that they pose. This part of the city is being regenerated and a fire station, which is open to the public, will form part of that."

The spokesman said the three-storey building, with a training tower and large community room, would be a vast improvement on the existing station.

Meanwhile, the new £10 million Trafalgar House police station will soon replace the Tyrls building, which was opened by the Queen in 1974.

Bradford Councillor Clive Richardson, vice-chairman of the West Yorkshire Police Authority, said: "They are planning to move into the new station in January.

"I have been round the station and it's almost there, but there are little problems that need to be sorted out first."

Coun Richardson said attempts were being made to line up a high-profile personality to open the station.

Both the new buildings have taken a long time to come to fruition.

The idea of a new fire station was first mooted a decade ago but was held up by various problems, including a land ownership issue.

And the opening of the police station was put back earlier this year when hundreds of gallons of water poured out of a top-floor pipe and flooded all four floors, causing damage to ceilings and walls.

e-mail: will.kilner@bradford.newsquest.co.uk