PEOPLE wanting to renew their car tax, pay bills or sort out the mortgage will have more time to do so at a Taunton post office.

Galmington Post Office, at the One Stop store in Galmington Road, is being modernised, opening times extended by 71.5 hours a week and some services will be available until late at night and at weekends.

The branch will close for refurbishment from 5.30pm on Monday (March 9), re-opening at 1pm on Thursday, March 26.

Adrian Skinner, Post Office area manager, said there will be four modern serving positions – three main screened counters opening from 8.30am to 5.30pm Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and from 6am to 5.30pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; and a post office serving point at the retail counter will offer selected services during shop opening hours between 6am and 11pm seven days a week.

Mr Skinner said: “This will mean the branch is open an extra 71 hours and 30 minutes a week, including all day Sunday and Saturday afternoon.

“The branch will also open significantly earlier and close much later every day.”

He added: “We know how important Post Office services are to residents in Taunton and we are confident this vibrant modern post office, at the heart o0f the community, will be popular.

“The modernisation is part of a major Government investment programme.”

Customers are being advised to use Bishop’s Hull Post Office or Taunton Post Office, in the town centre, while the Galmington outlet is closed for refurbishment.