VILLAGERS are being asked their views on plans to upgrade their post office.

The Post Office wants to move the facility at 13a St Paul’s Terrace, West Pelton, into the Rana Store next door.

The move would provide an open-plan posy office with longer opening hours The Post Office is launching a six-week consultation on the move.

Regional Network Manager for the North East, Sue Richardson, said: “We understand how important having a Post Office is to residents in West Pelton and we are confident that this new modern branch will make it easier for our customers to do business with us and also secure services for the future.”

She added: “The proposed changes to the branch are part of a three-year investment programme, the largest in the history of the Post Office, that will see around 6,000 branches (about half the Post Office network) converting to new-style branches.

“The investment marks a commitment to no more branch closure programmes.”

Opening hours at the proposed new location will be 7am to 8.30pm daily and customers will be able to carry out a wide range of Post Office services including cash withdrawal from partner banks and Post Office card account, access to Post Office Financial and Travel services as well as mail services.

The consultation will close on January 4 Submissions can be made during the consultation by Freepost YOUR COMMENTS to Post Office Ltd, National Consultation Team, Wealdstone Post Office, 1st Floor, Admin, 2 Headstone Drive, Harrow, HA3 5QL, via email to comments@postoffice.co.uk, via the Customer Helpline: 08457 22 33 44 or Textphone 08457 22 33 55.