Red letter day for Devon village

The Post Office has reopened after three years

A Devon village is bucking the recent trend of post office closures in rural areas - its branch actually re-opened on Thursday.

Broadhempston near Totnes has been without a post office for three years.

With the help of government funding, aimed at subsidising uneconomic rural branches, the facility has re-opened as part of the village shop.

And Kevin Jarvis, who runs Broadhempston Post Office and Stores, is sure it has a long-term future.

Keep pestering the Post Office and let them know how much you need the facility

Kevin Jarvis, Broadhempston Post Office and Stores

"The amount of support we have received from villagers has been outstanding, they are over the moon that it's re-opened," he said.

And Mr Jarvis advises any other villages who want to restore lost post office facilities to write to the Post Office.

"My advice would be to keep pestering the Post Office and let them know how much you need the facility.

"In the long run it's well worth it, " he said.

Villagers like Ronnie Hale are delighted, they can now shop, bank and use the range of post office services.

"Everyone uses it everyday, it's the centre of the community, without it we're really lost," she said.