A POST office plagued by bad fortune in 2007 is due to start afresh today.

Sway Post Office in the New Forest has been closed since December 13 following an audit.

Earlier that month, the branch's former sub-postmaster Ian Kirk was found guilty of stealing more than £55,000 from the business.

The post office, in Station Road, will reopen under temporary arrangements.

Inquiries are ongoing following an audit that took place after Kirk had been suspended. When these are finished, a permanent sub-postmaster for Sway will be brought in.

The audit findings remain a secret, and the Post Office is keeping quiet about why the branch was shut until inquiries are finished.

Kirk, 58, was caught stealing money from the Post Office in June 2006.

A jury at Bournemouth Crown Court has found him guilty of theft and false accounting.

Kirk, will be sentenced on January 18 at Bourne-mouth Crown Court.