POST Office services will remain in Aberlady after an outreach service was launched earlier this week.

Aberlady Post Office closed its doors last Thursday, with officials from the Post Office in the High Street building the following day.

Then, they were able to confirm an outreach service would be held in the village hall on a Tuesday and Friday each week.

However, opening hours have been cut from 20 each week to four, with the outreach service open 1-3pm on a Tuesday and 9.45-11.45am on a Friday.

Neil Sinclair, postmaster at East Linton, is providing the new temporary service while a permanent solution is sought.

Angela Smith, Post Office change manager, said: “We are delighted that we have been quickly able to find a solution to maintain a Post Office service in Aberlady as we know how important Post Office services are to a community. We want to thank postmaster Neil Sinclair for providing this service.”

The village Post Office, which dates back more than 100 years, closed its doors last Thursday, with Ross and Louise Searle shutting up shop.

Mr and Mrs Searle had been operating the branch since 1996 but sold the building, with a new family moving into the attached house. Mr and Mrs Searle plan to retire in the area.

Ward councillor Jeremy Findlay was among those who had expressed their disappointment at the loss of the facility.

He was pleased to hear that an outreach service was now in place but called on the Post Office to find a permanent solution as well.

Mr Findlay said: “I think something is better than nothing is probably the right way of putting it but I would also add we would hope Post Office management will use the next few months to see if they can come up with a better, more long-term solution that enables the population of not only Aberlady but also Gullane to have a more permanent solution.”