ARMED police officers are patrolling the streets of Taunton today (Thursday) following the attack in Manchester earlier this week.

These two firearms officers were spotted in East Street in the town centre.

A force spokesman said: "In response to the recent change in the threat level to critical, armed officers from Avon and Somerset will be seen out and about in our communities, primarily in Bath and Bristol.

"This is not based on any change in intelligence or threat for the South West, but the decision has been taken instead to make firearms officers more deployable and visible to our communities.

"We think this is what the public would expect.

"Our priority is to provide as much reassurance to communities as possible but we do recognise that some may feel anxious.

"The firearms officers will be engaging and communicating with people and we would actively encourage them to approach the officers and ask any questions they may have."

The deployment of armed officers on our streets is in response to the suicide bomb attack at Manchester Arena on Monday night in which 22 people were killed.