Families in Eaton are being asked to have their say on plans to move its post office.

A consultation has been launched into the proposal to relocate Eaton Post Office from its current base in Eaton Street to The Cellar House pub, a little bit further down the road.

The Post Office says the relocated branch would open as a modern open-plan 'local plus' branch with significantly extended opening hours, offering products and services from an open-plan till at the shop counter, instead of from a separate screened counter.

Last year, 60-year-old Malcolm Fuller, Eaton's postmaster for more than 30 years, said that he would have to consider closing the village's only post office due to rising costs and dwindling wages.

It led to a campaign from the community to try and find a new location for the service.

This latest proposal is part of a major modernisation programme across the Post Office network designed to make it easier for customers to do business, through longer opening hours.

Will Russell, regional manager, said: 'We understand how important having a Post Office is to residents in Eaton and we are confident that this new modern Post Office service will meet the needs of the local community and secure services for the future. This modernisation is part of a major investment programme, the largest in the history of the Post Office and marks a commitment to no more branch closure programmes.'

The new branch would be open for seven days a week, for an extra 32.5 hours a week. The branch would close later every day and would also mark an end to lunchtime closing.

Services would be provided Monday to Friday from 10am to 8pm, Saturdays from 10am to 6pm, and Sundays from 10am to midday. This would offer an extra 32 hours and 30 minutes a week of Post Office service including Sunday lunchtime and Monday and Saturday afternoons.

The Post Office is now inviting customers and interested parties to give their comments on the move in a six-week public consultation. During the public consultation, Post Office Ltd welcomes feedback on any issues customers would like considered before a final decision is taken on this proposal.

The consultation will close on September 18. Submissions can be made during the consultation by Freepost YOUR COMMENTS to Post Office Ltd, via email to comments@postoffice.co.uk, via the Customer Helpline on 08457 22 33 44 or Textphone 08457 22 33 55.

Do you have a story about Eaton? Call reporter Sam Russell on 01603 772326.