POLICE in Cheddar have been left 'disappointed' after plans to refurbish their station were shelved. Staff at the station in Cliff Street have been told there are no funds for the project, even though the 'police' section of the council tax bill has rise

POLICE in Cheddar have been left 'disappointed' after plans to refurbish their station were shelved. Staff at the station in Cliff Street have been told there are no funds for the project, even though the 'police' section of the council tax bill has risen by 6.8 per cent.Sgt Peter Yensen, of Cheddar police, said: "We had four new staff members this year, but we just don't have the office space to accommodate them. We were going to have work done on the front office, as only one member of the public can stand in the station at a time. If there are more they have to wait outside in the cold. "We often get people coming to us who are very distressed or upset, but there is not a waiting area for them. "Thirteen staff working in a semi-detached house just doesn't work."Police at the station sit on chairs that were unwanted at a station in Taunton, and do not have the office or desk space for one phone each. Extra vehicles have also been brought to the station for four new police community support offices, but the station car park is small and staff find it difficult to manoeuvre the vehicles in and out. Sgt Yensen added: "The parking area is very cramped but that is something we can put up with. My main concern is that the service we provide to the community is being compromised. We have been told there is no money in the pot and the refurbishment plans for Cheddar have been put on the backburner.