RESIDENTS of Ashwater and of the surrounding parishes are now able to carry out their day to day Post Office errands in Ashwater as the Post Office service returned on Monday (February 28).

After the village shop and Post Office closed in December 2009, the Ashwater Village Shop Association was set up and in less than a year, the community driven village shop was re-opened last November.

A few months later, positive news was received that the Post Office services would be re-established in the parish. This has been incorporated in to the community run village shop.

A Post Office Ltd spokesman said: "We are delighted to have appointed a new partner providing us the opportunity to incorporate Post Office services into the community run village shop.

"Our priority is to safeguard Post Office services to the local community in the longer term. Re-opening the branch at this new location allows us to restore access to Post Office services in Ashwater, providing longer opening hours."

Ivan Buxton of Ashwater explained that the equipment was recently installed and training began at the end of the last week.

He said: "It is terrific news, you could say we're back in the trend!"

Christine Poile, shop manager, added: "Quite a lot of people have expressed interest in it, it will be a good thing for the village."

An official opening of the new Post Office is to take place on March 31 with Geoffrey Cox MP for Torridge and West Devon.

He has been supporting the campaign since two years ago and as a result, funding was received from Devon County Council. This is one of 16 shops and Post Offices that have received government backing in the area.