They’ve been neighbours for nearly half a century, but soon the only physical reminder of Ipswich’s main police station will be two impressive plants in the garden of the sheltered housing scheme next door.

For years the Cordylines stood sentry at the entrance to the police station in Civic Drive. But with the building being demolished, they seemed to have a doubtful future.

However they were offered to the Black Horse Lane sheltered housing beside the police station, and have been re-planted in its communal garden by demolition workers from R G Carter.

The housing is owned and managed by Hannover Housing, and scheme manager Tim Brame said residents were thrilled by the new centrepiece of their garden.

He said: “The two plants are very impressive, and the residents are over the moon that they have come here.

“They’ve been well-watered and they should transplant fine. We’re all very pleased and would like to thank Carter’s for bringing them over.”

Mr Brame said the demolition, which is now nearing its completion, had been done with little disruption to residents – who had been able to follow the work with interest. He said: “Carter’s have kept us up to date with everything that is happening at every stage and have worked hard to keep disruption to a minimum.

“Of course there will always be some noise when something like this is happening next door, but there has not been disruption at anti-social times and the residents have been keeping an eye on what is happening.”

A long-term future use for the site has not yet been decided, but in the meantime it could be a temporary car park.