THE Post Office this week confirmed its services in Yelverton are on the move ? but says it is committed to remaining in the village.

At present, the post office operates from the Co-op Pharmacy on Yelverton Forecourt, having moved from Leg o? Mutton some years ago.

But the Co-op Group has given notice it wishes to terminate the arrangement.

Colin Pound, Post Office spokesman, said: ?The Co-op are happy to keep us there until we find somewhere else, provided it?s a reasonable length of time.

?Unless we are forced by circumstances, we certainly wouldn?t be looking to close down in Yelverton.?

Mr Pound said the Post Office was currently in negotiations with Nigel Hoskins, of Yelverton Garage, with a view to relocating.

Mr Hoskins said: ?I?m in the middle of doing a business plan at the moment and I would love to take on the post office, subject to them awarding it to me.

?We really don?t want to lose the post office from Yelverton ? since we?ve been here, seven petrol stations in the area have closed, we?ve lost banks ? we think it?s very important to keep the post office.?

Mr Hoskins said subject to the successful completion of negotiations, he envisaged the move taking place in February or March.

A spokesman for the Co-op said: ?The Government has announced new contracts for pharmacies and they will be offering a lot more services in terms of being able to help people with health advice.

?To do this, we need to have a proper consulting area for our customers and unfortunately, having the post office in our pharmacy at Yelverton makes this very difficult to do.?

Paula Meager of Plymouth and South Devon Co-op, which runs the food supermarket in Yelverton, said the company was aware of local concern regarding the post office.

She said: ?What we are concerned about is facilities for the community. We don?t want to see the post office leave Yelverton and we are aware there are bids in for the post office ? at the moment we are keeping a watching brief on the situation.?