Keighley’s Bradford Council cash office – where people can pay their council tax bills in person – is to close.

The office, in the town hall, is among five across the district that are shutting.

But people will now be able to pay their bills in 250 local shops or Post Office branches instead through new PayPoints.

Council bosses said the cost-cutting plan, which they hope will save £147,000, will give more residents a place to pay nearer their homes.

Affected staff, thought to be about a dozen people, will be offered other roles.

Martin Stubbs, the council’s assistant director for the revenues and benefits service, said: “For many years, the only option for those wishing to pay their council tax by cash was to go to a very limited number of offices.

“This new scheme has greatly extended the number of places people can pay.”