NITON'S post office is being modernised and the branch is also due to open an extra fifteen-and-half hours a week.

The move will see the branch have a more modern interior and lunchtime and early closing is also set to be scrapped.

In addition, customers of the main UK banks can gain access to their accounts at the branch and there will be a range of services including home shopping collections, cash withdrawals and the ability to order foreign currency.

There is also set to be a new postmaster at the shop which stays at its current location in High Street, Niton.

The new postmaster will need to temporarily close Niton Post Office for the refurbishment work to take place. The branch will close on Wednesday, January 30 at 1pm and will re-open on Thursday, February 14 at 1pm.

The new opening hours will be Monday to Saturday between 9am and 5.30pm.

The new hours represent an extra 15 hours and 30 minutes of post office service a week including Wednesday and Saturday afternoons. It will also mark an end to lunchtime closing.

During the refurbishment alternative branches include Ventor Post Office at 8-10 High Street, Ventor and St Lawrence Post Office at Spindlers Road, St Lawrence.

Antoinette Chitty, Post Office Area Network Change 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 and will secure services for the future.”