Westbury is one step closer to having a post office back, it has been revealed.

In a statement, the Post Office said it was even considering having two post office counters instead of a single replacement.

Approval was given last week, with rumours circulating that the chemist, John Preddy, will operate a two-counter service. However nothing has yet been confirmed.

Westbury Cllr Gordon King said: “It will be really great if it is good news. Westbury needs a main post office, and a town centre post office would be the icing on the cake.

“I am made up by the news that a solution is a real possibility. Given the size of the population and an expansive business community, Westbury requires a three-counter main post office, but I would settle for a two-counter post office if space is a real issue.

“A one-counter post office would be quickly overwhelmed, and I would not recommend it for anything other than an interim measure. We have waited too long for news like this and if it comes off it will benefit the town greatly. Any excuse to draw people into the town centre will be good for business and should be grasped with both hands”.

Since its removal residents have become annoyed at having to go to Dilton Marsh, Bratton and The Ham for postal services.

Resident Mike Dyer, of Summer Road, said: “This will help improve the local service immeasurably, especially for some of our elderly citizens who will have found it difficult getting to the other post offices.”

A Royal Mail spokesman said: “We are working hard to restore post office service to the Westbury area as soon as possible. We hope to have a confirmed location soon.”