Public access to council services is to be transformed with the conversion of a former bank in Witney into a one stop shop.

West Oxfordshire District Council has exchanged contracts to buy the Lloyds TSB building at 3 Welch Way.

Leader Barry Norton said: "The one stop shop will be linked to all our offices. It should even be possible to deal with planning matters.

"Eventually, we hope to roll the service out to cover county council and town council services, even including police and health authority links."

The former bank branch is considered ideal because it has a strong room with a safe and protected screens.

That reduces the conversion work needed to make the premises suitable for cash payments, like council tax and benefits, now handled at the Church Green offices.

This listed building is about to be sold to a housing association and converted into sheltered accommod- ation.

The £3m raised from the sale will go towards the council's new offices in New Yatt Road.

They are due to be completed by early July.