York's £3m nightclub complex is on schedule to open for February 4 - and York Police hope their new station, which is being built next door, will not be lagging far behind.

Rank Entertainment's new ikon and Diva nightclubs will be the largest the city has ever seen - and fears have been sparked among residents and businesses that there could be increased trouble in the area.

York Police had initially opposed the scheme but did a U-turn after Rank promised there would be stringent security measures and offered land next door to the club for the construction of a new police station.

It also agreed to put 30 CCTV cameras inside and outside the club to monitor the bars and dance floors.

Inspector Howard Harding, who will be in charge of the new Clifton Moor station, said work has now begun on the second storey and he hoped it would be open soon after the nightclub.

"Work is well underway on the station and we are hoping it will be ready to come on-line shortly after the nightclub opens," said Insp Harding.

"It will certainly, in my view, increase our operational efficiency and effectiveness.

"And there will also be savings in terms of time and fuel because officers will be nearer the area where the bulk of their work is, although we will still be keeping up a presence in rural areas and there will be no reduction of service."

Bill Heath, chairman of the Clifton Moor Business Association, said he had hoped the nightclubs and police station would open together but a short delay was not a cause of concern.

"It was to be hoped that the police station would open at the same time but a difference of three weeks or so is neither here nor there," said Mr Heath.

"There will be so much going on in those first few weeks with the massive opening."

Meanwhile work on the clubs is going on apace with Rank promising the 'dawn of a new era in late-night entertainment in Yorkshire's heartland'.

General manager Dave Ryan said: "The exterior construction work is nearly completed and with just over four weeks until the opening night, the interior design and decoration is already looking out of this world."

The company promises state-of-the-art sound and lighting, along with seven bars, split level dance floors and extensive catering facilities.

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