A TEMPORARY post office could be set up at Kay Gardens to replace the town centre's main branch, which shuts on Tuesday.

Bury's main post office, based in newsagents Forbuoys in The Haymarket, is closing to coincide with the expiry of the shop lease.

The closure has angered the thousands of customers who use the service and who are faced with travelling across the borough for postal services.

But Bury Council have stepped in and confirmed four alternative sites have been offered to Post Office Ltd to house a temporary postal service until a permanent replacement has been found.

The options include three sites in The Rock on the western and eastern ends of the pedestrianised area and at the junction of Tithebarn Street - along with a temporary building at Kay Gardens opposite the George pub.

A spokesman for Post Office Ltd confirmed the Kay Gardens site was the most suitable option being considered.

He said: "We have been negotiating with the council since February to identify suitable sites in the town centre where we can park a portable post office. The council put forward several sites, as did the Post Office, and we have looked at them all.

"Some were unsuitable for a variety of reasons, but Kay Gardens is considered to be the best site and, if all goes according to plan, we will be opening a portable unit there soon."

Council leader, Councillor Wayne Campbell, said: "We have had council staff working on this issue for weeks. The current post office is a busy one and is providing a vital community service to thousands of local people. We are keen to plug any gap in the service as quickly as possible."

Earlier Report: THE decision to close the only post office in Bury town centre from next Tuesday has provoked a furious reaction.