PLANS have been put forward to relocate Thornton-le-Dale’s Post Office following the retirement of the postmaster.

Barry and Christine Whitaker, who have run the post office in Maltongate for six years, intend to retire next year.

As a result, the Post Office is proposing to move the branch to Wardill Brothers and extend the opening hours to seven days a week.

Mrs Whitaker said her husband would continue as postmaster for a short time while they handed over the services.

“We have worked hard to retain a full range of postal services in the Thornton-le-Dale,” she said. “We are planning to retire next year and as it is difficult to maintain a stand-alone post office, they have decided to move it to Wardill’s.”

The Post Office is inviting people to give their views about the move during eight weeks of public consultation. The suggestion is that the branch would open from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday and 8am to 1pm on Sunday. This would be 25 hours more than currently offered.

The proposed move is part of modernisation programme across the Post Office network designed to make it easier for customers to do business, through longer opening hours.

Post Office regional network manager for Central England, Adrian Wales, said: “We are confident that this new modern branch will meet the needs of the local community and secure services for the future. The proposed changes to the branch are part of a major investment programme.”

People can send their comments to Freepost YOUR COMMENTS to Post Office Ltd, via email to comments@postoffice.co.uk, via the customer helpline on 08457 223344 or Textphone 08457 223355 and at www.postofficeviews.co.uk, with the branch code 200337.

The consultation closes on January 24.