Mobile Post Office has been secured for village

At the end of April, the facility in Longhoughton was closed. It was located inside the Spar shop, which shut its doors a few days later.

Discussions have been ongoing with the Co-operative about its branch in the village taking on Post Office services.

But in the meantime, it has been confirmed that a mobile service will be stopping in Longhoughton every Friday, starting this week.

It will park outside the original Post Office on North End from 3.30pm to 4.30pm. It will do this until a full-time permanent location is confirmed.

Longhoughton parish councillor Eleanor Phillips said: “The parish council very much welcomes the inception of a mobile Post Office service.

“The council is aware that negotiations are underway to re-establish a full-time Post Office service at some time in the New Year.

“More than 2,000 residents live in Longhoughton and it is clear villagers have missed such an essential service.

“Although this temporary service is very limited at the moment, there may be a possibility to arrange another time slot in the week if required.

“This has been agreed just in time for all those Christmas parcels. It’s good news – almost better than Santa coming.”