POST office services are set to return to a New Forest village after the former branch closed earlier this year.

The previous franchise at Sway Newsagent in Station Road closed in March due to the resignation of the postmaster and the withdrawal of the premises, which was not owned by the Post Office, for this use.

The newsagents had been sold and the new owners decided not to run the post office.

However, it has now been announced a new service is set open elsewhere in the village as early as August.

It is proposed to operate a post office from Central Convenience Sway, which is also on Station Road.

Councillor Barry Rickman said: "It is really good news for Sway. Everyone will be pleased to get it back. We have a lot of older people who cannot travel very far but it something everyone will welcome.

"A lot of people have missed it and made alternative arrangements since the previous post office closed. "I hope people will support the new franchise because if you do not use it, you lose it."

The Post Office said services would be offered from a low-screened, open-plan, modern serving point alongside the retail counter.

The opening hours will be seven days a week from 6am – 9pm, providing an extra 57 hours of post office services a week compared to the previous location.

A spokesperson for the Post Office said: "In order to restore Post Office service in the area as soon as possible we may open the branch in August during consultation, however, public consultation will close on August 7 2019.

"Customers can share their views during the consultation online at postofficeviews.co.uk with the branch code 295546."

Residents and interested parties are invited to give their comments on the move in a public consultation.

Submissions can be made via email to comments@postoffice.co.uk, by calling 03452 660115 or texting 03457 223355.