AVON and Somerset Police have announced they will not renew their contract a company that claimed it would save the force and locals councils millions of pounds.

A 10-year deal between the police and Southwest One comes to an end in June 2018.

Chief Constable Andy Marsh has told the BBC he has "given notice" that the contract will not be renewed.

Mr Marsh said that he prefers to work with neighbouring police forces and fire services rather than Southwest One, which is 75 per cent owned by IBM and carries out administrative, IT and human resources tasks for the force.

Mr Marsh told the BBC: "We will be finding a new way of providing those services. It is my intention to collaborate with other forces.

"I do believe I can save some money and I want to protect frontline numbers."

Somerset County Council ended its links with Southwest One last December, while Taunton Deane Council announced in January that it might exit its deal ahead of the end of its contract in November next year.

Southwest One has not commented.