POLICE are to dispose of two of their Inverclyde stations as part of an estates sell off.

The unused office in Port Glasgow is already on the market while bids will soon be invited for the vacant Gourock building.

Both stations have been empty since Police Scotland pulled the plug on them five years ago to save money.

Force officials have approved the sale of the Port office on King Street, with details currently being finalised to sell the Gourock building at Kempock Place.

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: “The police premises at Port Glasgow and Gourock were previously approved for disposal by the Scottish Police Authority in August 2017.

“Both these premises have been closed for a number of years and are not used to provide operational policing services.

“Once a premises is approved for disposal by the Scottish Police Authority, there is a formal disposal process which has to be followed.

“This includes compliance with the Scottish Public Finance Manual prior to a premises being made available on the open market.

“In relation to Port Glasgow and Gourock, Port Glasgow is currently advertised for sale on the open market and Gourock is currently subject to the disposal process.”

According to new Inverclyde area commander Hazel Scott, both properties will be sold on the condition they are kept ‘for use in the community’.

Police estates staff in Glasgow will deal with the sale of the stations but Chief Inspector Scott will be consulted on any bids.

There was public and political outcry when the decision was made to close the Port and Gourock stations in 2013.

Senior officers said the move was partly motivated by money but also because fewer people were using them due to changes in how crime is reported, and a desire to make better use of staff who worked there.

At the time, officials said there were 134 visits by members of the public to the Port station over a 13-day period and 53 enquiries at the Gourock premises.