The modernisation of a post office in St Albans has been given a stamp of approval.

The new-look Beech Road office, which will open on Thursday, August 14, will offer an extra 23 hours of service a week.

The branch will also be provided with an open-plan combination counter in the store, where the Post Office terminal will sit alongside the retail till.

Customers will be able to access a wide range of services including Special Delivery, Local Collect, home shopping returns, online banking cash deposits and withdrawals, and sending funds abroad using Moneygram.

In addition, visitors can pay bills, pre-order travel money, apply for travel insurance and top up mobile phones. 

Kevin Shepherd, area manager, said: "We know how important post office services are to residents in St Albans and we are confident that this vibrant new-style post office at the heart of the community will be popular. 

"The modernisation is part of a major Government investment programme that is enabling us to continue investing in the post office network and to map out a bold growth strategy through to the end of the decade."

The branch will close on Monday August 11 at 5.30pm for refurbishment.