The Post Office in Ashford town centre is set to move to WHSmith in March, it has been confirmed.

Bosses have launched a public consultation detailing the proposed switch, which is set to take the service away from its historic Tufton Street spot.

Four serving counters would be available at WHSmith in the High Street.

Roger Gale, the Post Office's network and sales director, said: "The vast majority of our branches, large and small, are successfully operated on a franchise basis with retail partners.

"This is the best approach to keeping them in main shopping locations and at the heart of communities where they play an important role in local economies.

"We believe our proposal is the most effective way to secure the long term viability of Post Office services in Ashford for years to come."

Extended Post Office opening hours are being offered in WHSmith, which is about 160 metres away from the existing site.

At its current Tufton Street home, the Post Office does not open on Sundays but it would open from 10am to 4pm in WHSmith.

It would also be open from 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Saturday, as it already does at its Tufton Street home.

WHSmith already runs 135 post offices in its branches nationwide, but the number will expand to more than 200 by the end of 2019.

The Post Office has spent almost 100 years at its current Tufton Street spot, following its move from Bank Street in 1926.

It is not yet known what will fill the building after the Post Office leaves for the book retailer next spring.

All of the current services offered at Tufton Street will move to WHSmith with the exception of the cash point.

The public consultation will run until Wednesday, December, 5.

• For more details, visit www.postofficeviews.co.uk or email comments@postoffice.co.uk