A community-committed postmaster has warned locals the “clock is ticking” to the deadline of his plans to quit the only business in a Saddleworth village.

Brian Hodgkinson, 80, and his wife, Andjelka, 74,  have run the Dobcross Post Office and a Village Store on Woods Lane since 2019.

Now, writing in the Dobcross Diary, which circulates to all village homes, he asks if the community cares whether the Post Office and Village Store continue or are the majority happy to travel for banking and postal requirements or daily provisions.

In a bid to boost interest to save the Post Office through a Cooperative approach, he is including an “expression of interest” form with each copy of the March edition of the Diary.

The form is to gauge the level of interest in this idea and willingness to participate as an organiser, investor or volunteer.

And Mr Hodgkinson also references an online document, setting up a community-run post office, which highlights 200 nationwide similarly-run enterprises.

He said: “I have a personal email from the Post Office Retail Team supporting this concept for Dobcross, but it requires two committed people prepared to act as applicants and to undertake the process which includes preparing a business plan and vouching for the financial backing.

“The retail side of the business - Village Store -  is easier to transfer but in the overall scheme of things is actually more important, as it provides the largest proportion of the profit required to pay the salaries of staff who will operate the Post Office Counter.

“It is hoped this will generate further interest in the Cooperative concept. Alternatively, however, we don’t want to exclude any individual or smaller groups of investors who may be interested in taking over.”

Mr Hodgkinson gave the Post Office the required six months' notice on February 6  and, in accordance with the terms of the notice, his last day will be August 6.

The business enjoys a 100 per cent rebate on business rates, however, it is envisaged a rental in the region of £2,000 every three calendar months will be applied with a lease duration to be agreed.

For the purposes of a Post Office application, this should be a minimum of three years.

Interested parties can return the form in person to the shop or email details and interest to Mr Hodgkinson at brianhodgkinson@hotmail.co.uk or to diary@dobcross.com.