A VILLAGE could be getting its postal service back with the launch of a new community shop.

The Post Office has launched a public consultation on its proposal to bring back its services to Alfrick, using the new shop as a base.

The village has had no post office since last July.

Residents banded together to launch the community shop project after the loss of their previous village store in July 2011.

Project chairman Alan Soper believes it is on track to open either later this month or at the start of June.

The portable building which will house the shop was installed in the car park at Alfrick Village Hall last month and volunteers are now busy fitting it out.

Mr Soper said: “We’re making lots of progress.

“We’re installing the shelving, and the freezers and chillers are being delivered. We will be stocking a mix of standard grocery items and more specialised produce from local suppliers.”

More than 50 volunteers who will run the shop are being trained.

A tasting session earlier this year, in which local suppliers were invited to show off their produce, was a great success, with 38 traders and about 150 villagers attending.

Services proposed for the post office include automated banking, bill payment, Post Office card account, postal orders and postage.

Anyone who wants to comment on the Post Office proposal can contact Post Office Ltd, c/o National Consultation Team, PO Box 2060, Watford WD18 8ZW, to consultation@postoffice.co.uk, to 08457 223344 or textphone 08457 223355. The deadline is Wednesday, June 13.