A FAMILY is leaving the village store and post office that has been its business for more than 20 years.But residents of Brantham have been reassured that they will still be able to use their local in-store post office because the business has been sold to the Ipswich and Norwich Co-operative.

A FAMILY is leaving the village store and post office that has been its business for more than 20 years.

But residents of Brantham have been reassured that they will still be able to use their local in-store post office because the business has been sold to the Ipswich and Norwich Co-operative.

The Co-op's assistant general manager Bill Knowles said: "We are very much committed to keeping the post office here. Village amenities are important, although they must remain viable."

Linda and Terry Carrigan, their son David and his partner Clare Corris have built up the successful store in a parade of shops at the end of Birch Drive, Brantham.

Terry Carrigan, 44, is the sub postmaster and will continue to run the post office until November 6. Once the family has had its first holiday together for many years, Mr Carrigan will work as a relief postmaster around the area.

Mrs Carrigan, 48, decided to retire about three years ago, although she has remained a regular presence in the store.

She said it would be sad to finally leave, as they had seen a generation of Brantham's children growing up, and had also become very involved in the lives of many customers, particularly the elderly.

She said: "It's been quite moving. We've had some wonderful letters, cards and presents.

"Terry used to visit the housebound ones and take their groceries but he would often find himself changing light bulbs or starting lawnmowers for them while he was on a delivery."

David, Carrigan, the eldest of the couple's five children, first started helping in the store when he was 14, and James, the couple's youngest son, will continue to work there on Friday evenings and Saturdays while he completes college.

The new store manager will be Mark Palmer, 27, who had previously managed the Co-op's store in Eye.