A HUGELY popular postmaster is hoping to stay with her post office, despite its planned relocation in the New Year.

The Sible Hedingham post office on Swan Street is set to close.

However, following a consultation it is likely to relocate to the Esso garage just a few doors down.

Krishna Hirani took over the post office in November 2011, and has grown popular among villagers over the last five years.

There were initially fears among villagers that the village may lose its post office and Krishna.

Although Krishna is hoping to move with the post office, she will lose her role as postmaster.

She said: “Obviously I am disappointed.

“I have been here five years and thoroughly enjoyed it, so I am not happy to see it close.

“But hopefully there will be a job for me in the new site. Nothing is confirmed yet, but if they need staff to man the post office then I will be more than happy to do that.”

The Swan Street post office is going to close as part of a modernisation programme which will transform branches to “modern, easily accessible Post Office branches with longer hours designed to make it easier for customers to do business”.

A potential new location has been outlined, supposedly the Swan Street Esso garage, but the Post Office will not reveal this until a public consultation period begins.

Any relocation is subject to a six week public consultation, giving residents the opportunity to air their views on any potential change.

A Post Office spokesman said: “The postmaster at Sible Hedingham has decided to leave under the Post Office branch modernisation programme subject to us finding a suitable applicant with premises to take on the post office.

“The vacancy was advertised and there is an interested applicant.

“Any re-location would be subject to a six-week public consultation.

“We hope to begin public consultation soon. We are committed to maintaining a Post Office in Sible Hedingham.”