A POSTMASTER has called for the continued support and loyalty of customers new and old who visit "lifeline" Bradshaw Post Office.

On Wednesday, May 16, Musa Patel will officially retire as sub postmaster at the site due to ill health, having spent 10 years serving the community of Bradshaw and Harwood in the role.

Family friend Fayaz Patel, aged 39, has been appointed to take on the day-to-day running of the local service in Lea Gate.

He said: "I would like to say a big thank you to Musa from myself and the community for providing such a fantastic service over the past 10 years.

"We have worked very closely with councillors who have been very supportive in bringing to attention the need for a post office within the area.

"The Post Office are keen to maintain this vital service, but ultimately, it is a business and needs to generate sufficient revenue to survive.

"The message to the community is that we want to keep it open. My role is to help ensure that and to drum up support.

"The Post Office and councillors have done their part.

"Now we humbly request that the residents of Bradshaw and Harwood use their local post office.

"It is a lifeline for so many people."

Mr Patel confirmed that Bradshaw Post Office was not up for sale on Gumtree but another Bolton site is being listed.

Mr Patel, who lives off Blackburn Road, pointed towards the range of services that are offered from the Bradshaw shop, including home insurance, travel insurance, bureau de change and multi-currency cards to name a few.

He called on residents from across Harwood and Bradshaw to visit the post office in person to ensure that their sales are associated with the Bradshaw site. This in turn will prove its viability.

He said: "I would invite customers to call me directly to ask how I can help them process their mail.

"And I would call on business customers who are interested in supporting their local post office to call me."

Mr Patel can be reached on 07980 080840.