TWO post office workers have been charged in connection with an alleged benefits fraud after they were arrested along with five other people.

But post office bosses today reassured customers that Nelson Post Office is open as usual to customers.

Clerk Sehmida Mohmed, 20, of Blackburn Road, Bolton, and her cousin, acting manager Zubair Ahmed Mohmed, 26, of Embassy Close, Bolton, have been charged with conspiracy to defraud the post office following the launch of a police and benefits inquiry last month.

The town centre post office, in Manchester Road, was closed for three days in September which caused chaos for users who couldn't collect their pensions and benefits.

The investigation, which is being headed by the Department for Works and Pensions and the police, is today continuing.

A spokesman for the department said: "We cannot comment on the current situation until our investigation is complete."

A Consignia spokeswoman today reassured post office users that the post office was operating as usual.

She said: "The post office re-opened to the public with a interim sub post master back in September, since this time he has been looking after the running of the post office."

Sergeant Louise Darcy assisted the DSS in their inquiries.

She said: "We charged two people on Thursday afternoon and another two were released on bail to be questioned at a later date when more forensic examinations of certain items are carried out.

"The other three were released without charge."

Sehmida Mohmed and Zubair Ahmed Mohmed are due to appear at Burnley Magistrates on Monday.