SUPERMARKET giant Tesco is to lay on a free minibus service for post office customers in Theydon Bois while it converts the village's One-Stop convenience store into a Tesco Express.

The company has pledged to keep the post office facility currently housed in the Coppice Row store. However, it will have to shut down the shop for four weeks while refurbishment takes place, including work on the post office.

The conversion work is due to begin early this year, in time for a spring opening, although a date has not yet been set.

The bus is being funded by Tesco and will ensure that post office customers, especially those who cannot easily get to nearby towns, can get to a post office branch.

The bus will run hourly between 9am and 4pm every Thursday.

Tesco's move into Theydon Bois follows the supermarket firm's acquisition of the One Stop and Day & Nite chains and will see the existing One Stop shop staff taken on by Tesco. Additional recruitment will also take place.

Two planning applications have been submitted to Epping Forest Council, for new illuminated fascia signs and various new shop signs as well as the installation of new doors and the village's third cash machine.

Tesco says the move is in response to customer requests for smaller outlets serving smaller communities.

A company spokesman said: "Tesco has recognised the need for quality, convenient shopping outlets and Theydon Bois is one of the areas that will benefit from Tesco's investment programme."

The shop's opening hours are planned to be 6am until 11pm seven days a week. The supermarket has promised lower prices and 2,000 product lines including flowers, newspapers, frozen foods and alcohol.

Full details on the minibus will be available in the store in the run-up to the closure.