People living in a Shropshire hamlet are to be allowed extra time to voice their opinions about a shake-up for their village’s post office facilities, officials have announced today.

Post Office Ltd has launched a six-week public consultation on the proposed outreach service for Lydbury North near Bishop’s Castle.

They propose a hosted outreach service operating locally for approximately four hours per week to provide Post Office services in the community.

The proposal comes after a decision by Post Office Ltd to close the existing Lydbury North branch and introduce outreach services under its Shropshire and Staffordshire area scheme, which was concluded earlier this year.

The public consultation into the new proposal begins today and ends on October 27.

Officials said the standard range of products and services would continue to be available through the proposed hosted post office service.

Customers could still collect benefits in cash using banking services.

Volunteers who have been manning the community shop, where the current post office facilities are based, said they have nothing to say at this time.

Mark Partington, network development manager for the Shropshire and Staffordshire said: “We welcome feedback from the local community during the six week consultation and look forward to receiving comments on the type of outreach service proposed and the hours being suggested.”