PLANS have been announced to move the site of Darlington’s Crown Street Post Office.

The proposal intends to relocate the current Post Office to WHSmith inside the Cornmill Shopping Centre.

Officials say the branch will be run by WHSmith, with extended opening hours, including Saturday afternoons and Sundays.

The relocated Post Office, which is planned to open in September 2019, will have its own area within the store with five serving positions and four self-service kiosks.

Services at the branch will remain the same with the exception of a cash machine.

Post Office’s Network and Sales Director Roger Gale said: “The vast majority of our 11,500 Post Offices, large and small, are successfully operated on a franchise basis with retail partners.

“We believe this is the best approach to keeping Post Offices in main shopping locations and at the heart of communities where they play an important role in local economies.”

A public consultation on the proposals has now started and will run until June 5.