A SMALL group of villagers are hoping to save the future of Shaldon Post Office.

The individuals, who want to remain anonymous, have set up a community interest company in a bid to continue providing services to the village.

A GoFundMe page has been established to try to raise enough funding to pay for the start up costs to take over running the Fore Street business.

One couple, who also want to remain anonymous, have already stumped up the cost of buying the premises and agreed to charge a ‘peppercorn’ rent to the new company.

A new CIC has been formed called Shaldon Services to take over running the Post Office but there are just a few weeks to get the £6,000 donated which it is estimated will cover the start up costs.

However, more than £2,500 has been raised is just a few days.

A spokesman said: ‘It’s so far so good.

‘We are asking for support for donations to raise the start up costs.

‘We can scrape through with that and then continue to see if we can get the money coming in.

‘We have one anonymous donor who has given us £2,000 which is fantastic.

‘A post office is essential for any village and we are going to keep it open.’

The existing sub-postmaster will be staying on initially to oversee the change and while new staff and volunteers undergo training.

Current staff have also agreed to stay on for the foreseeable future.

The spokesman said: ‘We can’t see it failing as long as we have the support.

‘The current post office has been here for more than 70 years.’

Once the initial form-filling and set up organisation has been overcome, there are longer term plans to set up a lending library and craft corner.

It is hoped to be able to set up the new post office in April.

But the company, which is being run as a not-for-profit organisation, still needs donations and support.

Any surplus cash will be reinvested back into the local community, to groups, causes, charities and projects.

Once up and running, the aim is for the company to pay for itself.

Any donations can be made to www.gofundme.com/f/shaldon-post-office-setting-up-fund