A COMMUNITY is rallying round a former postmaster as he battles coronavirus in hospital.

Musa Patel was postmaster at the Bradshaw post office, in Lea Gate, Harwood for more than 10 years before retiring in 2018 due to back problems.

He has often been described as a much-loved figure in the community, with neighbours offering their support to Musa after the post office was damaged in both 2015 and 2017.

In 2015 burglars used explosive to blow a cash machine off the wall of the post office.

A fund-raiser was set up to support Musa but he donated the money to Bolton Hospice.

A former colleague and close family have revealed that Musa is very ill and has been suffering with coronavirus in intensive care at hospital for the last couple of weeks.

Fayaz Patel, who is postmaster at the post office after serving as sub-postmaster when Musa was in charge, said the family is going through a very tough time, especially as they cannot visit Musa in hospital due to coronavirus restrictions.

He said: “It’s a very sad time and we are all hoping that he makes a full and speedy recovery.

“I got a phone call from his wife last week saying he wasn’t well. I worked with Musa for a very long time but have not seen him in months, I spoke to his wife over the phone who told me the situation and just to pray for him.

“The whole family, his wife and kids, are amazing and everyone really is just wishing him the best. It’s such a hard time for them right now, made even worse by not being able to and visit him in hospital.”

A post on a social media saying that Musa was ill in hospital with Covid and to pray for him has received over 1,000 reacts and 450 comments with memories of his service at the post office and people sending him their best wishes.

Fayaz said he was very touched by all the kind messages that were being sent to Musa. He added: “He is a really good friend of mine. He’s like my brother.

“We worked together for the best part of 10 years. We got on really well - he’s basically family. I’m just really worried for him now.

“He left the post office a few years ago due to back problems which was a shame because everybody just loved him.

“He had time for every single person that came in. He was such a loved character in the community.

“Even after he left, people were still asking about him.

“It’s really touching to hear about the support on social media.

“He’s such a lovely guy.

“He made everyone that came into the post office feel special and he was genuine about it. He was nice to everyone because he’s a nice guy, not for any other reason.

“People treated him just as he treated them because of it.

“He loved interacting with customers.

“The customers in the area are amazing.

“It’s a really great community and he loves it.”