A HORWICH post office will be given a modern revamp and increase its opening hours.

The Winter Hey Lane branch will now be open 51 hours a week — an additional five hours.

The refurbished store will officially launch on September 12.

There will be an open plan layout, four serving stations, one modern screened counter, two open plan counters and a serving point at the retail till.

The branch will be open from 9am until 5.30pm on Monday until Saturday and there will be a selection of Post Office services available at the retail counter during shop opening hours.

The additional five hours will be on Saturdays when the store used to close at 12.30pm.

Dave Ogleby, 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.

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

"This modernisation is part of a major investment programme, the largest in the history of the Post Office.”

Residents and small business customers will be able to access a wide range of Post Office and mail services, including international parcels, special delivery, local collect and home shopping returns.

Shoppers will also be able to make cash withdrawals from a Post Office card account, send funds abroad using Moneygram, pay bills, buy holiday money, get insurance, mortgages and savings and top up mobile phones.

Customers can also use the Post Office for online banking cash deposits, withdrawals and bill payments.

The branch will be closed on Wednesday, August 31, for the refurbishment to take place.

During the work, customers can go to Chapel Lane Post Office in New Chapel Lane in Horwich or Chorley Old Road Post Office.