TECHNICAL hitches have delayed the re-opening of the new post office in Mitcheldean.

Free temporary bus services, which have been running since the end of November, will continue until the branch opens at its new location in the Midcounties Co-operative.

The branch was due to re-open last Thursday (January 9), however, a fault on the telephone line, now fixed, prevented the setting up of the Post Office's computerised equipment.

A bus service to Drybrook Post Office will operate on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from outside the closed Mitcheldean branch at 9am, 10am, 11am and 12pm and return from Drybrook at 9.45am, 10.45am, 11.45am and 12.45pm.

Post Office regional network manager – south, Julia Marwood, said: "We are sorry that there has been this delay in opening this branch due to this technical fault. We immediately reinstated the bus service once we realised the branch could not open as planned. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

"Customers however, will soon have their own local branch again with fabulous opening hours and a modern open-plan retail environment."