AN upmarket jeweller is relocating its Taunton town centre store - 100 metres up the road.

Official Rolex retailer Michael Spiers will be taken over the former Clarks shoe shop in High Street later in the year.

The business has been located in premises in North Street for almost 40 years.

Renovation work is currently underway in the new store, which is due to open in October.

Michael Spiers managing director Adam Spiers said the "luxury store" will feature a Rolex lounge complete with a watch technician.

He also said the company would be welcoming a "new watch brand to the Taunton high street", but remained tight-lipped about other plans.

Mr Spiers said: "We are thrilled to confirm that we are relocating our Taunton store to the high street.

"We have started the renovation work and look forward to welcoming new and existing customers into the store from October of this year."

He added: "We are very proud of our connection with Taunton.

"We purchased the initial shop back in 1985 and my father, Michael, spent a good deal of time working there.

"I also have very fond memories of attending school in Taunton."

Michael Spiers also has shops in Truro, Plymouth and Exeter.

Clarks vacated the High Street store at the beginning of November last year, ending a lengthy presence in the town.

It now plans to re-open in Taunton in premises in East Street previously home to House of Tweed, which closed in January this year.