THE post office in Blackwood is due to reopen early next week - more than a fortnight after it closed because "financial irregularities" were discovered.

The office, in High Street, closed on September 23 and has not reopened since, leaving residents to travel to Oakdale, Ystrad Mynach or Pontllanfraith for pensions and benefits.

Islwyn MP Don Touhig said yesterday he had written to the chairman of the Post Office and had been told the office would reopen at the beginning of next week.

A spokesman for the Post Office confirmed it hoped to reopen the branch then but was unable to confirm what day.

Mr Touhig said: "I have written to the chairman of Post Office Ltd, taking up the concerns of my constituents who rely on Blackwood Post Office for vital services in their daily lives.

"I will be keeping a close eye on developments - my constituents, many of whom are elderly and infirm, depend on the post office for their pensions, benefits and other important services."

And Blackwood Councillor Kevin Etheridge said: "I am very pleased for the people of Blackwood that the facility will be back on-line. "It is long overdue."

Blackwood councillor Nigel Dix added: "I've had many constituents ringing up in the past week or so wondering how they were going to collect their pensions.

"It has been very inconvenient for them to make alternative travel arrangements.

"I am just glad the situation is to be resolved and the Post Office is getting back to business."