A proposed move could see a town’s post office opening hours significantly extended.

The plans, which would see the Post Office in Golding's Hill, Loughton, merge with convenience store, Golding’s Hill Off Licence, would allow the service to open until 9pm on weekdays, 8pm on Saturdays and 6pm on Sundays.

If successful, the branch would open as a modern open-plan ‘post office local’ area within the store and run its services from a till at the shop counter instead of from a separate screened counter.

The merger would see the service, which currently opens until 5.30pm on weekdays, 12.30pm on Saturdays and is closed on Sundays, open for a further 27 hours and 30 minutes a week.

Will Russell, Regional Manager said: “We understand how important having a Post Office is to residents in Golding's Hill.

“We are confident that this new modern Post Office service will meet the needs of the local community and secure services for the future.

“This modernisation is part of a major investment programme, the largest in the history of the Post Office and marks a commitment to no more branch closure programmes.”

The proposal follows the merging of The Broadway Post Office and McColl’s Convenience Store in Debden last month.

Residents and interested parties are invited to comment on the proposal in a six-week public consultation.

Feedback on the merger, which must be submitted to comments@postoffice.co.uk before October 21, will be considered before a final decision is made.