WEST Belfast based The Ortus Group have confirmed that they are in talks to purchase a former Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue training facility in South Belfast.

Based in Twin Spires, The Ortus Group provides business support programmes and affordable, high-quality commercial property plus complementary services to a diverse range of businesses from start-ups to long-established enterprises across all business sectors.

The social enterprise have confirmed they are in the process of purchasing the former NIFRS training facility at Boucher Crescent.

In May, the NIFRS said the former Learning and Development Centre was going through a process of divestment.

In a statement to the Andersonstown News, a spokesperson for Ortus Group said: "We are currently in the process of purchasing the former NIFRS training facility at Boucher Crescent, and we anticipate completing the acquisition by the end of the year.

"Until the purchase is finalised, we aren’t in a position to provide detailed information or comment on future plans for the building."