OPENING times could be extended by 45 hours a week at a proposed new post office branch in St Ann's Chapel.

The Post Office is proposing to move the village branch from its current location to 400 metres away into the Maberley's convenience store.

It is good news for the expanding community which in recent years has seen the closure of post office services in the parish.

The result will be a modern open-plan facility with significantly extended opening hours, starting at 5.30am seven days of the week.

Customers and interested parties are being invited to give comments on the move in a six-week public consultation.

Post office regional network manager for the West of England Tony Jones said: 'We understand how important having a post office is to the residents in St Ann's Chapel and we are confident that this new modern branch will make it easier for our customers to do business with us and also secure services for the future.

He added: 'The proposed changes to the branch are part of a three-year investment programme, the largest in the history of the Post Office, that will see around 6,000 branches (about half the post office network) converting to new-style branches.

'The investment marks a commitment to no more branch closure programmes.'

Post Office Local is a new concept for delivering post office services from an open plan counter with products and services available alongside retail transactions during shop opening hours.

Opening hours at the proposed new location will be Monday to Saturday 5.30am to 6pm and Sunday 5.30am to 1pm.

This would offer customers an extra 45 hours a week to access post office products and services.

Services include cash withdrawals from partner banks and post office card account, access to post office financial and travel services as well as mail services.

During the public consultation which closes on January 4, Post Office Ltd welcomes feedback on any issues customers would like considered before a final decision is taken on this proposal.

They can email comments to: [email protected]">[email protected] or via the customer helpline on 08457 223344.

Janet Gould, who has run Maberley's store since June 2011 said the move had come about following the current postmaster's wish to retire.

'We need a post office in the community as the nearest is Gunnislake or Callington and that is difficult if you do not have a car,' she said.

'St Ann's has grown a lot with large housing estates going up close to the shop and of course we have Honicombe Park holiday village just down the road.

'Local people have been brilliant, popping into the shop every day to buy their papers, milk and fresh bread. I open at 5.30am anyway so it makes sense to have the post office here.

'I think it will also make a huge difference to our footfall and hopefully become a focal point in the community even more than it is now.'