BOURTON post office has been chosen to take part in a pilot scheme to extend its opening hours.

From the end of this month the post office on the High Street will be opening seven days a week, instead of six.

The new opening hours will start on Thursday, December 1, when it will be open 7am to 6pm, seven days a week.

Postmaster Gary Kirkman said: “I’m overjoyed and very proud. It’s really, really good news. I know from personal experience if you are working you might only be able to use the post office in your lunch hour.

Now you will be able to pick and chose when you come in.”

Refurbishment work is also going to be carried out inside the post office from Wednesday, November 23, until Wednesday, November 30, when it will reopen at 9am.

During this time there will be a limited service with one counter open to the public.

“It should reduce queue times and help customer service,” said Gary.

“There will be one openplan counter instead of two. We were determined we were not going to close.

“We don’t want to let our customers down.”

On hearing the news at the last parish council meeting, Sheila Jeffery, Cotswold District Councillor for Bourton, said: “It’s great news.”

Post Office field change adviser Stewart Swabey said: “Post Office Ltd are very pleased to announce a major investment in our Bourton branch that will offer customers greater convenience through extended opening hours and a more modern retail environment.

“A number of our Post Office branches across the UK are already operating on this basis and they are proving popular with customers.”