THE Post Office has joined forces with a private company to safeguard the future of a branch.

Eltham Post Office will now be run by private firm Shieldex Ltd, in a deal which will bring longer opening hours and a wider range of services for customers.

Post Office bosses have also moved to reassure existing staff at the branch they will be "properly looked after".

The deal means the branch in Court Yard, Eltham, will now remain open on Saturday afternoons.

Post Office Ltd network services manager Clive Bradley says Shieldex will also bring its own staff to work at the branch.

He moved to allay fears of job losses for existing workers but refused to confirm whether they will remain at the Eltham branch.

Mr Bradley added: "We share our customers' high regard for the existing staff."