By Annie DavidsonA VILLAGE'S police station that was closed to the public a number of years ago could now reopen - as a post office.Kelvedon Police Station is shut to the public, although some workers, such as investigation teams, are still based there.

By Annie Davidson

A VILLAGE'S police station that was closed to the public a number of years ago could now reopen - as a post office.

Kelvedon Police Station is shut to the public, although some workers, such as investigation teams, are still based there.

But now it is hoped the station - which is in the village of Feering - could be the site of a part-time post office.

Feering Post Office and General Store in The Street closed down last year and the parish council has since been searching for new premises.

Parish clerk Lorraine Allen said: “The parish council has been doing all it can to try to get a temporary post office store to serve the people of the village.

“We tried to get it in the community centre, which is thriving, but regrettably that was not possible.

“We also asked a local publican as we had heard of post offices being run from local pubs, but the publican was not happy about it as he felt his staff could be at risk due to security.

“Then we asked about the police station to see if we could come to an arrangement.”

Mrs Allen said talks were taking place between Essex Police and the Post Office, but no decision had been made.

She added the parish council ideally wanted the post office to reopen properly, but a part-time postmaster had been found who would be willing to run the service for a couple of hours twice a week.

Essex Police's divisional administration manager, Tony Hoult, said: “In principle we would be happy to assist, but it is going to depend on what comes back from our property services regarding the use of the building for this.

“There may be legal reasons why we are not able to do it. We are exploring the possibilities, but it is in the very early stages of negotiation.”

Lydia King, rural transfer advisor for Post Office Limited, said: “This is something the post office is very keen to do, but we are waiting to hear back from the police to see if they will allow it. We would like an alternative premises to be found in Feering.”

annie.davidson@eadt.co.uk