Building work on a �60m network of new police investigation centres across East Anglia, including one at Aylsham, will start within days.The centres will replace out-dated and often overcrowded cells in police stations with dedicated modern facilities which bring investigations staff together under one roof.

Building work on a �60m network of new police investigation centres across East Anglia, including one at Aylsham, will start within days.

The centres will replace out-dated and often overcrowded cells in police stations with dedicated modern facilities which bring investigations staff together under one roof.

A total of 146 cells will be constructed at Gorleston, Wymondham, King's Lynn, Aylsham, Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich, with Norfolk and Suffolk police working together on two of the centres. Cambridgeshire police will take detainees to King's Lynn, although the centre will be manned by Norfolk officers.

The building work will be carried out under the private finance initiative - the first scheme of its type to be undertaken by police forces collaborating with one another. In recent years the forces have worked more closely together in a bid to save money.

Construction is due to start by the end of the month and buildings should open during next year.