IT'S going to be an arresting sight - Greater Manchester's new police headquarters is set to become a glowing blue beacon, visible for miles around.

By day the £63m HQ in New East Manchester will look like any other office building.

But it looks set to be an architectural homage to Dr Who's police box Tardis and TV's legendary Dixon of Dock Green which featured the traditional blue light.

By night bosses hope the HQ's blue glass and blue ground lighting will create a reassuring image. The headquarters is being built to replace Chester House, the current ageing home of police top brass in Boyer Street opposite Old Trafford.

Work is due to start this month with the development set for completion by 2011. An artist's impression of the building was unveiled to members of Greater Manchester Police Authority.

Dominic Manfredi, the architect who came up with the blue theme, said: "The police are known for their blue lights. The whole idea was to make the building a symbol of the police."

Coun Paul Murphy, chairman of Greater Manchester Police Authority, said he was convinced the development at Newton Heath would become an iconic building which would help give a welcome boost to New East Manchester.

He said he had worked to ensure the building would prove cost effective and that builders used members of the local workforce to help create jobs. He said: "The authority is extremely proud of what this deal represents - significant investment in north-east Manchester for the benefit of the whole of Greater Manchester."

Funding for the new HQ has been provided by Greater Manchester Police Authority and the Home Office.

It marks the next phase of building work that has already seen 19 new police buildings built in Greater Manchester.

The six-storey block, 1.5 miles out of the city centre, will be home to police bosses, the counter-terrorism unit, the murder squad and a number of other departments totalling 1,100 staff.

Chief Constable Peter Fahy said: "This investment will provide modern, fit-for-purpose accommodation. It will help team working and communication."

A number of agencies are involved in the project including Ask:Goodman, a joint venture company, New East Manchester urban regeneration company and Manchester council.

Police finance bosses say Chester House is too expensive to maintain. They say they have not yet decided what will happen to it once the new building is complete.