TOP postmaster Tony Summerfield has been arrested by cops probing the suspected laundering of up to £450,000.

Award-winning postie Mr Summerfield, 56, of Kirtlington Post Office Stores, was questioned by fraud police and released on bail.

The arrest followed an inquiry by the Post Office, which has now suspended him.

A spokesman refused to reveal details of the amount involved but confirmed: "The post office was closed on Tuesday morning following a visit by the Post Office internal investigation staff and the police.

"Mr Summerfield has been suspended from duty. The post office will remain closed until we can find a temporary sub-postmaster as a replacement and customers are being advised to use the post office in Bicester, which is on a local bus route."

Mr Summerfield and his wife, Gill, 50, took over the Troy Lane store in 1988. They transformed the shop and boosted its weekly turnover from £1,500 to £6,000.

In July 1994 customers nominated them for the Village Shop of the Year award. The couple won £4,000, which they used to provide bonuses for their staff.

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