A VILLAGE post office and store is taking on the 'big boys' threatening to put him out of business.

A planning application to expand Staplegrove general store and post office has been submitted to planners at Somerset West and Taunton Council.

The owner hopes bulk buying on a larger scale will enable him to sell goods cheaper and fend off the threat of closure.

A statement with the application says: "In recent times the store has suffered due to other large food stores being built locally, although none of these can offer the post office counters.

"In a bid to stay in business and remain competitive with the other new stores in the area, it has been determined that competitive pricing is the solution.

It adds: "Buying power and volume purchasing go hand in hand."

The planning application is for a single-storey extension to the rear of the existing post office in Manor Road, which also houses an attached hair salon.

If granted, it would considerably increase the floor area of the existing store.

The owner believes the increase in business would lead to three more full-time jobs of more than 33 hours a week and one part-time job of more than ten hours.

The County Gazette has contacted the business for a comment.