A ONE-man "counter attack" is under way to preserve a village post office with the launch of an internet service.

Richard Vale, who took over the post office and shop in Chaddesley Corbett four months ago, is dragging the traditional centre of community life into the 21st century with plans to instal a public computer terminal with access to the internet. Richard Vale outside Chaddesley Corbett post office.

Taking on the challenge was a "tremendous risk "for the 50-year-old who gave up a successful career in local government to follow a dream.

Mr Vale was network manager at Sandwell Council where he was responsible for overseeing IT in 142 schools. But his 50th birthday proved a milestone as he realised he wanted to radically change his life. The post office in Chaddesley Corbett, which was opened by his uncle in 1931, was up for sale but under threat of conversion into private accommodation.

"These two things came together," he said. "I wanted a change of direction and the post office came on the market - the two things would never happen again."

Mr Vale, who was born in Great Barr, has lived in the village for 42 years and helped out at the post office as a child.

It has been run by three generations of his family since it was started by Samuel Jewkes.

"I knew the post office and the people in the village. I knew more or less the business but I didn't know how to run the business," he said.

"After I got over the excitement I had to get a bank loan, learn about insurance, VAT and all the rest of it. It was a vertical learning curve."

Help arrived in the shape of the vicar who turned up one evening with a leaflet about Vital Villages, a Government-funded scheme set up to revitalise village communities.

Two training sessions through the scheme followed: "It helped. It gave me an idea and they offer sponsorship, up to £10,000 match-funded if you have a major project."

His plans include an extension and reorganisation of the premises which will see the installation of a web terminal in the tea room and the relocation of the post office part.

"I'm taking the traditional facilities and bringing them into the 21st century," he said.

Mr Vale, who praised his staff for their support, added: "The village is not the same as it was 30 years ago and the new villagers' requirements are different.

"It's up to us to adapt to keep the new customers."