A BIG secret is due to be unveiled at a public meeting in Exbourne tonight (Thursday) — and organisers are hoping for a bumper turn out of people to

learn about the surprise.

The meeting has been organised by Exbourne and Jacobstowe Shop and Post Office Committee, set up after the closure of the village post office in December last year.

The committee is already successfully running a post office, shop and café on a part time basis in the village hall — now plans for a more permanent future are due to be released at tonight's meeting.

Spokesman Kit Ineson said: 'We've come up with this rather remarkable idea for a totally new building, which is rather an unusual concept.

'There is a precedent for it elsewhere in the country and certainly on the continent — I promise it's totally different.'

Mr Ineson said the new project, which could cost somewhere in the region of £150,000, will get off the ground if the community gives it the thumbs up.

'Obviously we are dependent on getting funding and it's going to cost a lot of money, but at the end of the day, it will really depend on people actually using it.'

Mr Ineson said more community consultation will follow the meeting — but it was important that people turned up to hear about the plans first hand.

He said: 'We had an excellent turn out last time, the hall was full. With all that's gone on in between time, hopefully we will be full to overflowing.'

The committee-run post office is presently open in Exbourne Village Hall on Monday and Friday mornings.

In addition to the normal post office services, the First Class café offers drinks and cakes, and goods such as stationary are also sold. In addition, bakery orders and deliveries are received.

Tonight's public meeting to discuss the future of the services begins at 7.30pm — all are welcome to attend.