THE boss of a village post office has been suspended after an audit of the accounts.

Sub postmistress Ruth Bamber is to be replaced while an internal inquiry is conducted. Police have not been called in.

Lower Darwen Post Office, in Fore Street, was closed immediately after the financial inspection.

Customers were greeted with a sign telling them the post office was closed until further notice due to unforeseen circumstances.

They have been forced to used other post offices in Darwen, Guide and Ewood for more than a week.

Post Office Counters spokesman Graham Moore apologised for any inconvenience caused to customers as a result of the closure.

He added: "The post office has been closed since the audit on February 9 and the subsequent suspension. Further inquiries are being made and a decision on action will then be taken in due course.

"We have been doing all we can to resume services and hope to have a temporary sub post master in place by mid morning on Thursday, who will stay until the matter is resolved."

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