A LAST minute buyer has come forward to save a village post office just days before it was due to close.

Summerseat Post Office was expected to close on Wednesday following the retirement of sub-postmaster George Perry.

With no replacement postmaster to take over the business, residents were being advised to travel to Holcombe Brook or Walmersley for their nearest postal services.

But, on Thursday evening, Mr Perry received a phone call from two families confirming they had come forward to buy the property with the intention of running the post office between them.

Mr Perry, who has worked at the branch for 30 years and as postmaster for 14 years, will now postpone his retirement to keep the shop open until the new owners are ready to take over.

He said: "Nothing has been nailed down yet, but the families are very committed and the Post Office have accepted that fact and are happy to stay open. Hopefully, it will work out.

"I am absolutely chuffed to bits for the village, it is brilliant. The customers are over the moon, everybody is thrilled and one lady was even in tears!"

The identity of the two families has not yet been revealed, but Mr Perry believes one family lives in Summerseat and both are committed to the village and its facilities.

Mr Perry said: "The village church has just reopened, the school has been sorted and it is important to have a post office and shop in the village. I know people do not do their weekly shop here, but if enough people pop in for bits and pieces it should be safe. Its either use it or lose it."

He added: "It is a great weight off my mind, as the only thing that bothered me about retiring was leaving the village without a shop and post office.

"It is a lifetime commitment and babies I remember being born are now bringing in their own babies!

"I cannot say how pleased I am," he added.

A spokesman for the Post Office confirmed the branch would remain open.

"We understand the postmaster has a potential buyer and, if all goes according to plan, the office will remain open dependent on the sale going through and the new buyer being appointed as postmaster."

Earlier Report: SUMMERSEAT Post Office will close on Wednesday as postmaster George Perry retires after 30 years of serving the community.