A HISTORIC building's 250-year connection with law and order will soon come to an end when Taunton Police Station relocates.

From next month you'll be able to speak to a police officer before taking a short stroll across a corridor to pay your council tax, submit a planning application or sort out housing benefit.

That's because Avon and Somerset Police are vacating its current premises and moving into offices in Deane House, off Belvedere Road, home to Taunton Deane Borough Council.

The listed buildings in Shuttern are too large for the police base in the county town after most officers and support staff moved to a custody and investigation centre in Bridgwater in September 2014.

They are also impractical and in need of considerable investment, with some of the premises originally forming part of the town jail in the 1750s.

The new station will contain an enquiry desk opening from 8.30am to 4.30pm on weekdays, except Wednesdays, when it will open an hour later.

It will offer open-plan working in a flexible space that can be adapted for future needs.

Chief Inspector Lisa Simpson said: "We are looking forward to our move next month which will significantly improve our working environment and most importantly will maintain our policing presence in Taunton.

"We will be sad to leave the old building given the history for generations of officers and staff, but it is no longer efficient or practical.

"Crucially, co-locating with our colleagues in Taunton Deane provides a one-stop-shop for our communities to access police and council services, allowing us all to get to the heart of complex issues much more swiftly and with the right team."

Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mounstevens said: "I am delighted that we will soon be able to unveil the new Taunton police station. "Residents tell me that investment in police officers and PCSOs is important to them and releasing assets like over-sized and under used police buildings to invest in the frontline is really important.

"Co-locating and joining our partners not only ensures value for money for residents and taxpayers, it is also more convenient for local people by offering multiple services in one place."

Council leadrer Cllr John Williams said: "Deane House has been undergoing significant improvements to be far more energy efficient and to provide a better experience for our customers and working environment for our staff.

"We are looking forward to having the police join us in the building, where together we can offer local people greater convenience by having multiple services under one roof. And it guarantees a new police station remaining in Taunton for the foreseeable future."

The upgraded building will also have the potential to accommodate other partners in the public or private sector in future.