A POLICE station on wheels is about to hit the roads of rural West Somerset.

The new community policing unit is being introduced by Avon and Somerset Constabulary to make it easier for people in isolated areas to contact their local bobby.

The station on wheels cost £40,000 and has been funded from the Government's Rural Crime Fund.

West Somerset's commander Chief Superintendent Derek Walsh said: "The idea is the local beat manager will take this new unit to villages and towns where there is no permanent police station.

"It will visit on a regular basis and will work in a similar way to a community beat surgery.

"Local residents will be able to turn up, without an appointment, and discuss local initiatives, issues or concerns.

"They will also be able to report a crime or discuss crime prevention advice."

To begin with, the rolling station will visit the more rural areas around Minehead, Exmoor and Wellington, but the police hope to extend its 'patch' to cover the whole district. These visits will be publicised in advance.

"It's all about improving visibility and the service we provide to our more rural communities who don't have a police station on their doorstep," said Mr Walsh.