A BOLTON Post Office, at the centre of a fraud probe, opened its doors to customers again yesterday.

Last Friday the BEN revealed that detectives and investigators from the Benefits Agency and a special Post Office Counters Ltd team had been called in at Breightmet Post Office.

The branch was shut from Wednesday onwards as six people - including the sub-master - were quizzed by police officers.

It is understood the joint investigation centres on fraud allegations.

No-one has been charged but a joint police and Benefits Agency inquiry is continuing.

The temporary closure provoked anger among some local people who claimed elderly people were struggling to get their pensions as the nearest available branch was in Tonge Fold. Late last week Post Office bosses apologised for the closure which they put down to "unforeseen circumstances."

But yesterday morning the branch was back in business, although alternative staff were manning the counters, following a police request.

A long queue of customers had formed outside the branch, on Bury Road, opposite the Safeways superstore early in the morning as the steel shutters were raised.

A Post Office Counters spokesman said: "A new sub post-master is in there who has brought her own staff with her.

"We would like to apologise to customers if we have caused them any inconvenience at all. But hopefully the service will not be further disrupted."

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