Work has already begun on the new post office and shop

Locals at Bodffordd hope the scheme will fill a gap in village life.

The Department of Trade and Industry announcement on the future of small post offices is expected on Thursday, with widespread closures predicted.

Funding for the island project has come from both the National Assembly and the Post Office itself.

"We lost a place to go and buy a newspaper, bread and other necessities which is so important in a village," said Victor Hughes on the gap left when the old post office and shop closed.

"We hope that this will bring things back to how they were."

There are plans for the new venture to sell local produce to further attract customers.

The new venture will fill a gap said Victor Hughes

Anglesey county councillor William Hughes said: "There is much support for the post and shop as the nearest post office to here is seven miles away."

Ellis Roberts, another member of Bodffordd Cyf, which was set up to back the scheme, said any announcement to close post offices would be "a disgrace".

"I feel there is a lack of respect for small communities because the same thing is happening with schools.

"Everything is measured in terms of cost, not sacrifice, and definitely not culture nor the Welsh language."

The new premises is due to open in March 2007.

The Department of Trade and Industry has said the current size of the post office network is "unsustainable".