LUDGERSHALL'S threatened post office at the One Stop shop in Andover Road has been granted a short stay of execution.

Negotiations between those interested in taking on the post office facility are continuing and an official announcement about the long-term plans for its future are believed to be imminent.

In the meantime the post office facility at One Stop will now remain open until 5 January - about two months longer than originally envisaged.

Parish clerk Janet White told councillors that a meeting had been arranged with local MP Michael Ancram on 22 October to ask him what action he has taken to get the matter resolved.

"If there is an announcement this week than we can cancel the meeting," she said.

"I have been told that the decision will be announced some time this week but we have been down that path before." Parish council vice-chairman, Bob Bale, said: "We need to see something in black and white about this as there have been so many rumours floating about the village."