BURTONWOOD Post Office is set to move into the library and increase its opening hours.

Cllr Terry O'Neill (LAB - Burtonwood and Winwick) said merging the services is the best way to secure their future.

Residents are invited to have their say on the plan to move the Post Office from Chapel Lane into Burtonwood library, which is about 130 metres away.

An open-plan till and shop would be installed at the centre and the store would open for four hours extra a week.

Cllr O'Neill said: “It’s vital that we hang on to our Post Office here in Burtonwood and that local residents continue to receive the same level of service.

“I am assured that there will be no reduction in opening hours, no reduction in key services and improved accessibility with car parking, access ramp, wide door and open plan layout.

“My own view is that moving the Post Office into the library is the best way to secure the future of both of these vital community facilities but anybody with an interest in Burtonwood Post Office, especially existing customers, should make their views known.”

Suzanne Richardson, regional network manager at the Post Office, 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.

“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.”

If the move goes ahead, the branch would open from 9am to 5.30pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, from 11am to 7pm on Thursdays, 9am to 1pm on Fridays and 9.30am to 1pm on Saturdays.

Have your say by December 5 by emailing comments@postoffice.co.uk, calling 03457 22 33 44 or visiting postofficeviews.co.uk with the branch code 15843499.

If the move is approved it will take place in Spring 2018.