Villagers in and around Dilton Marsh are hopeful for the return of their convenience shop and post office in the new year, after it was revealed that negotiations are now at an advanced stage.

When Dilton Marsh Stores, which has a Post Office counter, closed at the end of September, customers immediately set up a petition to save the service.

The closure, along with the closed branch at The Ham, meant their nearest Post Office was inside the Co-op store in Westbury. But that closed temporarily, for refurbishment, at the end of October.

However, the village store and post office look set to reopen in the New Year, with an interested party in talks with the landlord of the building, Chris Brown.

Mr Brown, who ran the shop until 2003, said: “Negotiations are at an advanced stage, with someone who wants to reopen the Dilton Marsh Stores as a very much village-centred store.

“A person came to see the business as a strong part of the village life, providing post office facilities, lottery and, wherever possible, selling fresh, locally produced food.”

Jayne Bosson, of Woodland View, a teaching assistant at Matravers School, started the petition to support a shop and post office and said she would welcome the return of both.

She said: “I am very pleased that it looks like the post office and shop will be reopening, as it is an important part of the village and it’s been a nightmare without it.

“I have had letters and post to send for Christmas, so I have had to go to Westbury. In previous years, I would just be able to pop to the village post office.”

A Post Office spokesman said: “We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused by the temporary closure of Dilton Post Office and The Ham.

“We would like to reassure customers that, since these services were disrupted, we have been working hard to restore them to the community.

“Supporting the community is very important to us and we hope that customers have enjoyed the provision of service over longer opening hours and in a brighter, more modern service environment at Westbury.”