PLANS to demolish and rebuild a fire station are set to go ahead after planning permission was granted.

The facility in Leytonstone High Road will be knocked down and replaced by a gleaming three-storey building and drill tower as part of a £60million scheme to replace eight stations in east London.

It comes after a similar project to rebuild Walthamstow Fire Station in Forest Road.

Funding was approved by the London Fire Brigade in January 2011 but a planning application was not submitted until this September.

The bid was approved by Waltham Forest Council this week.

The new station will provide accommodation for fire-fighters, room for modern appliances and training facilities, along with a visiting space for members of the public.

The London Fire Brigade has said fire engines will be temporarily transferred to other stations in the borough during the construction works and that there would be no reduction in fire cover as a result.