Carlisle police station was badly damaged in the floods

The Cumbria force's Rickergate station was among scores of buildings hit by floodwater which devastated the city.

Risk of infection due to bacteria, means people entering the Victorian building must wear protective clothing.

Up to 300 officers will use local authority buildings during repairs and prisoners will be housed at cells at the force's headquarters in Penrith.

The force has not yet put a cost on repair work to the site, but a spokesman said it was expected these would be recovered from insurers.

At least one rear wall of the building collapsed in the floods.

The spokesman said it was hoped ongoing investigation would not be affected by the situation.

Data, including evidence material from damaged computers as well as sodden paper files are with a specialist recovery firm in Kent.

We know that our difficulties are no more than thousands of others are facing in Carlisle Cumbria Police spokesman

A force spokesman said: "The recovery process itself is likely to take 24 weeks, until rebuilding can start.

"All computers and furniture will have to be destroyed, but electronic files have been recovered.

"Because of the exposure to bacteria since the storm, there is a high level of contamination within the building, which requires people to wear masks and protective clothing."

Between 200 and 300 officers usually use the Rickergate station. These will now be spread across local authority building throughout the city.

The spokesman added: "We know that our difficulties are no more than thousands of others are facing in Carlisle.

"We can assure people that we have been providing and will continue to provide a first rate policing service for the city. Their safety is still our priority."

Three people died in the floods, the worst to hit Carlisle for more than 100 years.

Hundreds more were left homeless as floodwater poured into houses, especially in the Warwick Road area of the city.

The government is currently looking at how to improve the city's flood defences.