THE troubled Harle Syke Post Office is set to close tomorrow - but is to be reopened in the local Spar shop just 150 meters away.

The relocation of the post office has been welcomed by the community, local councillors and the town's MP after it had been used in the past for laundering money by a gang of drug pushers.

Harle Syke Post Office was closed down in 1998 because of major drug dealing and a money laundering operation that was used to pay for the business.

The shop in Burnley Road, Briercliffe, will be on the move on September 2 after a letter informed the sub post mistress, Susan Ellis, and Spar owner Martin Cheetham that it would be moving to the Spar shop, also in Burnley Road.

The existing business at 112 Burnley Road will close at 1pm on Wednesday until the new office opens the following Monday.

Customers have been advised to use either Briercliffe Road Post Office or Burnley's main post office in Hargreaves Street.

Area Manager Jane Briginshaw said: "We consider this move will benefit the local community and help to secure the future of post office services in the area.

"The new office is more conveniently and centrally located in the village's retail area.

"It will have a modern, purpose-built section within the store, extended opening hours and a ramp to ensure easy access for the elderly and disabled. All the existing post office products and services will be maintained."

During a seven-week hearing at Preston Crown Court two years ago, the gang of four who were involved in the laundering of money, Anthony Dewhurst, 28, of Russell Street, Roy Crossley, 21, of Albion Street, both Nelson, Azizul Wahab, 31, of Clive Street, Burnley, and Joseph Cromer, 29, of Clee Road, Scunthorpe, were sentenced to a total of 31 years in prison.