LEDBURY is to get a modernised post office with Sunday opening and greatly extended opening hours.

In total, the opening times will be extended by 71 hours a week at the post office's existing location, at the One Shop Store in the Homend.

The upgrade will give the expanding market town a modernised "Main Post Office" for the first time.

Sue Whittall Post Office Area Manager said: “We are making it easier for customers to get their cash, send and collect their mail and do their banking because we know how important these services are to local residents."

She added: “We are confident that this vibrant new-style Post Office at the heart of the community will meet customer needs. This modernisation is part of a major investment programme, the largest in the history of the Post Office and will secure services for the future."

The service, which will launch at 1pm on Thursday Wednesday April 23, will be provided from five serving positions, two open plan counters, two modern screened positions and a Post Office serving point which will sit alongside the retail counter.

The branch itself will open from 9am - 5:30pm Monday to Saturday, - with selected Post Office products and services available from the retail counter during shop opening hours which will be 6am to 11pm, Monday to Sunday.

The branch, and also the One Stop Store itself, will need to close temporarily from Saturday April 11, until April 23, for the refurbishment to take place.

During that period, the Post Office is advising that local people should use Colwall Post Office or Malvern Post Office.

But this is raising some concerns among town councillors, who discussed the situation at a meeting in the Market House last week.

The Herefordshire councillor for Ledbury, Cllr Phill Bettington said: "Yes, there will be some discomfort for a while, but it will be well worth the wait."

But Cllr Tony Bradford said: "A few of my constituents have complained to me that they won't be able to get to Malvern or Colwall."

He suggested asking the Post Office to put on a mobile post office from April 11 to April 23, for the use of Ledbury residents.

Ledbury's mayor, Cllr Bob Barnes said: "It would be very helpful. I've had people come to me, especially the elderly and disabled, saying they are not happy about the closure. It will be great inconvenience for a great number of people in Ledbury."

Town councillors are to look into the possibility of using a Ring and Ride bus service to get local people to Colwall Post Office, during the period of the post office refurbishment in Ledbury.