CLEVEDON Police Station will close its doors to the public next month as services move to an office development on the outskirts of the town.

From January 2, local people will have to go to Castlewood in Tickenham Road to talk to the police.

The move has been made as part of an agreement with North Somerset Council, which owns Castlewood, and will eventually see the current police station in Queens Road sold off later in 2013.

Chief Suprintendent Julian Moss said: “We have been working with North Somerset Council to see how we can improve the services we provide to our communities despite the financial challenges we are facing and this is an opportunity we could not miss.

“Castlewood provides a well-known and more accessible location for policing services in Clevedon and will help us work with the council and other partners more closely.”

Leader of North Somerset Council Nigel Ashton said: “Accommodating the police extends the range of services available at Castlewood for local people, and also makes it easier for us to work together to build safer and stronger communities in North Somerset. It makes sense for residents and also helps both organisations financially and operationally.”

From January 2, the opening hours of the facility at Castlewood will be from 8.30am-5pm Mondays to Fridays. It will be closed at weekends.

Outside of these hours, the police can be contacted using a phone on the outside of the building which will link through to the force’s non-emergency switchboard.