Mendip District Council has closed its offices in Shepton Mallet due to the rise in Somerset-wide coronavirus cases.

They announced today (September 29) that there will be no face-to-face contact between staff and customers at their offices.

In a statement the council said: " We have interpreted government advice, and given the wider Somerset rise (and because we can deliver all of our services digitally or via phone), we have taken the decision to act responsibly and close face to face service delivery."

According to the latest Public Health statement for Somerset as a whole coronavirus cases are now up to 1568 meaning that Somerset cases per 100k - per seven days is now over 10 for the first time, at 10.2.

The R value estimates remain low compared to the rest of the UK - nationally it is at 1.2-1.5 for the UK and England and 1.1-1.4 for the South West.