A VILLAGE post office will close later this month as its postmaster is retiring.

Rowland Hunt has worked in Bodenham Post Office since he was a teenager and is now retiring aged 66.

His father Albert Hunt took on Bodenham Post Office at its current location in 1965 and the family have ran the service for 55 years.

The branch at Bodenham will close on Tuesday, April 20, at 5.30pm.

The Post Office are currently investigating options available which to reinstate a Post Office service to the local community.

While the Post Office is closed alternatives are available in Burley Gate and Marden.

Part of the family business was a milk round, which operated until last month.

Postmaster Rowland Hunt said: “The past year has been bedlam due to the coronavirus pandemic. "Every day has been as busy as normal Christmas and this Christmas was twice as busy as normal. "People wanted to stay local. They were doing a lot more online shopping and people have been sending parcels to family and friends that they can’t meet.

"Lots of people have been sending Easter eggs and Easter gifts recently. Lots of people are doing their banking here too.

“I am now 66. As I am of retirement age, I have decided to call it a day. I have no specific plans, but I want to spend more time seeing my grandchildren who don’t live locally.”

Joe Francis, Post Office area manager, said: “We thank Rowland Hunt and his family for their very long service to the community since 1965.

"We wish him well for his well-earned retirement.”