VILLAGE shop owner Richard Walker has said he will carry on running a small store and Post Office near Devizes but there are hopes a new owner will soon be taking over.

He had hoped that Seend Post Office, which had a guide price of £240,000, would be sold by Strakers at an auction held at Bath Racecourse in December but it failed to reach its reserve.

He said: "I was disappointed but I will carry on for now."

Business partner Melanie Walker said: "It has been sold subject to contract as a going concern."

Seend Parish Council is also keen for the Post Office to remain open. Chairman Terry James said: "We would be very happy if the business continues."

As well as selling everyday essential items it also acts as a ticket office for many village events.

Strakers marketed the property as a four bedroom cottage with an adjoining Post Office/store in a very sought after village but in need of modernisation.

The details said: "Attached to the side is a single storey shop with Post Office and rear storeroom which could have many uses either continuing as a store, converted to offices or possibly a granny annex, subject to planning."

Doubts about the future of the store have been raised since 2005 when Mr Walker told the Gazette: "We are probably trading at a loss."

At the time the shop was only just recovering from the disastrous year of 2001 and the foot and mouth epidemic and Mr Walker said the business no longer had any reserves to call on.

Villagers called on people to use the shop and feared it would close the same as many others in nearby villages. But in recent years several shops in villages such as Urchfont, All Cannings and Rowde have re-opened as community enterprises.