VILLAGERS in Bishop’s Hull won’t need to go into town for stamps, banking and paying bills when their post office re-opens next month.

The service, which closed in November 2010, will be run alongside the village stores, in Bishop’s Hull Road from Monday, March 4.

The Post Office Local will operate from 7.30am to 6pm Mondays to Saturdays and 8am to noon on Sundays – 16 hours more than before the closure.

Both businesses were saved by husband and wife Tim and Linda Pope, who also run the butcher’s next door.

Mrs Pope said: “All the services will be offered from the till on the retail counter and the majority of Post Office products and services will be available.

“Local people have been waiting a long time for this and they’re delighted we’ve managed to save it for them.

“We re-opened the store on December 2 – there used to be three village stores and now this is the only one.

Villager Sue Watts, the parish council clerk, said: “It’s great news. We’ll be supporting it fully and hope the rest of the village do, too.

“The council will be doing all its financial dealings through the post office instead of going into town.”

Post Office regional network manager Mark Lawrence said: “We understand how important having a post office is to residents in Bishop’s Hull and we’re confident the Post Office Local will meet the needs of the local community and secure services for the future.”

District councillor Justine Baker started a petition when the post office closed in 2010 as so many villagers relied on it.

She said: “This new post office will be welcomed by the people in Bishop’s Hull and it will be used heavily by the community. The shop and post office reopening is a great asset for the village and surrounding areas.”

Fellow district councillor Ian Morrell said: “I’d like to thank all those who were supportive in the lead-up to this successful re-opening, especially the Pope family, as we all welcome the return of this important amenity.”