Families have welcomed the return of a post office to their neighbourhood - four years after the last branch shut.

A new provision is to open inside Birches Head's Premier convenience store at the end of the month giving residents access to its services seven-days-a-week.

Post Office bosses have been welcoming comments from the plan with the move representing a long-awaited return.

The former facility - which was based on the junction of Birches Head Road and Harrop Street - shut in 2015 with the building later sold off.

Since then the nearest location for residents was in Northwood.

The new branch is set to open on February 27 - and has won the backing of families.

The former post office which closed in 2015

Alf Barker, of Birches Head Residents' Association said: "The new post office will have a big impact on the local area and has been welcomed by everyone at recent residents' meetings.

"Of course it will take a while for it to become profitable because people have got used to going elsewhere, but it will be useful to the elderly residents of Birches Head who have had to use post offices in either Sneyd Green or Northwood." 

Resident Silvia Birleanu said: "I think it's a very good idea and very useful to us. I struggle to park the car in the city centre because it can get very busy.

"I would use the new post office as long as it charges similar prices to the one in the town."

Pauline Pepper, aged 86, who also lives in the neighbourhood needs the facility to collect her pension.

"I can't fetch my pension, so the lady who helps me to clean my house goes out and gets it for me. But she has to go all the way to Northwood or Sneyd Green.

"Having one closer will not only make it easier for me but for a good many other people too.

"Birches Head has a lot of elderly people in the area, so they'll be pleased.

"We've always had a post office. Years ago it used to be in a house and then it moved to the corner of Harrop Street.

The old Post Office is now a Gastite plumbing and gas fitting shop on Harrop Street, Birches Head.

"It shocked everyone when it closed. They were lovely people who kept the post office.

"I have a friend who is 90 and she has to go all the way into town to get her pension. I know she must struggle but now she will be able to use this one.

"Having it closer will be perfect - absolutely brilliant."

The new service inside the convenience store will open from 7.30am until 10pm Monday to Saturday and between 8am and 9pm on a Sunday.

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