RESIDENTS have gathered to say farewell to a Kearsley postmaster after it was announced the long-serving Post Office would be closing.

Kearsley Post Office staff have thanked the community for a fond farewell following a party on Saturday to mark the end of four years serving the village.

The Office in Manchester Road will be closed its doors yesterday in preparation for a new 'local' service opening at Costcutter in Kearsley Mount Precinct.

Postmaster Qamar Manzoor, aged 30, has run the business with his family and he and his staff threw a farewell party at St John Fisher to thank customers for their years of support.

He said: "We knew the closure was going to happen but we did not expect to be leaving this soon. We have had customers coming in to say goodbye. The community support has kept us going during our time here. Without them would not have survived. A lot of people turned up at the party and it was upsetting to say goodbye but it was a fantastic day."

Mr Manzoor and his family live locally but said they had no plans yet for the future but were looking at different options.

Speaking before the party, Kearsley resident and former postman William Hewell said he was sad to see the service closing after nearly 40 years.

The 67-year-old said: "It's very sad. It's a place you can go and see a familiar face and helpful staff. It's the end of an era, it was a place where people could meet others.

"It's the people you get to know who have always been helpful and friendly. They should be recognised for what they have given to the community."

The new service was launched today as part of a major investment programme to modernisation of Post office services.

The branch will operate longer hours from 7am-10pm seven days a week, an increase of 59 hours, and will include two open-plan counters with wheelchair access. There will also be a hearing loop at the counter.

Residents and small business will be able to access a range of services, including Special Delivery, Local Collect, home shopping returns, online banking cash deposits, withdrawals, bill payment, ordering travel money and insurance and mobile phone top-ups.

Suzanne Richardson, Regional 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.

"We are confident that this vibrant new-style Post Office at the heart of the local community will meet customer needs."