MORE than 50 years of Post Office history will come to an end when Darwen's Sunnyhurst Lane Post Office closes its doors for the final time.

The office, close to Sunnyhurst Woods, is closing when sub-postmaster Janice Yates retires on January 23.

All facilities are moving to within a convenience store on Harwood Street, opening two days later. The name of the office will change to Sunnyhurst Post Office.

The new premises at the store, run by Tariq Hasan, will be fully refurbished and will incorporate a modern counter, level access for disabled and elderly customers, longer opening hours and a more central location in the town.

Mr Hasan said: "We will have all the usual services and it will benefit the whole community, because we will be an easy location to get to."

Opening hours of the new branch are expected to be from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday and from 9am to 12.30pm on Saturdays.

Doreen Thompson, 67, said: "It has been easy for me to get to as I live nearby and I will be sad when it closes. I don't think the move will greatly affect service."

Hilda Jones, 72, said: "It is a little bit sad to see it go, but times are hard for small businesses and Janice has served us very well."

Post Office retail manager Maureen Moss, said: "I believe the proposal will help to secure the long-term future for the service at a time when many small retail businesses, including post offices, are struggling to remain commercially viable."

During the move, on January 24, counter services will be available from either Hollins Grove or Darwen Post Offices.