A disgraced former sub-post master who admitted pocketing more than £400,000 through false accounting at his post office has sent out a heartfelt apology.

Writing in the Kirtlington Village News, Tony Summerfield, 58, said he felt it was only "right and prudent" to offer his sincere apologies to his family, friends and villagers.

He said: "I feel utterly ashamed and remorseful for my misdeeds but for legal reasons I cannot give any details at this stage."

He added: "I know your support to Gill and my family has been a great comfort to them and for this I am very grateful."

Mr Summerfield, of Kirtlington Post Office, pleaded guilty to false accounting between March 1992 and March 1998, Bicester Magistrates' Court heard.

It was uncovered when an audit carried out in April highlighted a missing amount totalling £413,352. In the same article, his wife Gill said: "No-one apart from Tony knows exactly what happened let alone why, apart from the fact that something very wrong has been done and things have to be put right.

"It has been a great shock to myself and my family as well as a lot of villagers, but without the love and support and prayers from our friends I would not be here now. Tony will get through his ordeal I know, and some good will come out of it I'm sure."

She also thanked villagers for the letters, cards, flowers and gifts sent to them.

Mr Summerfield, who ran the sub-post office for ten years, has been released on bail before he appears at Crown Court for sentencing.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.