Companies are being invited to bid for a new building project in Wells which will see police officers and firefighters working under the same roof.

Sue Mountstevens, the police and crime commissioner for Avon and Somerset, announced in July 2018 that Wells' police officers would be moving in with the fire service at the existing fire station on Burcott Road.

The contract for extending the fire station to accommodate the police has now gone out to tender, with early estimates suggesting the work could cost between £200,000 and £350,000 to complete.

If all goes to plan, construction work could start in May or June and be completed by October. Details of the tender process were published by the police on the EU Supply website.

The work will consist of "traditional construction with the use of block and beam floors, masonry cavity walls and timber roof structure, forming internal space to house the new police station".

In a joint statement, Avon and Somerset Constabulary and Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said the tender figures were a guide, with the precise costs not being known until the tender process finished on March 27.

A spokesman said: "In order for us to continue to meet the needs of the local community and our staff, we are investing in a new neighbourhood team base as a co-location with Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, at their site on Burcott Road in Wells.

"This fits with local police and crime commissioner and central government aspirations to collaborate with partner blue light services, to provide more efficient and cost-effective working spaces.

"As part of this process, the police have applied to Mendip District Council for planning permission to erect a one-storey extension at the fire service site on Burcott Road.

"The Wells neighbourhood police team will remain at the old site on Glastonbury Road until the new site is complete. This will ensure continuation of our policing service to the community of Wells.

"We hope that the residents of Wells feel reassured that the plans for the Burcott Road site demonstrate our commitment to continue to deliver policing services for the local population from the heart of the community."