A new purpose-designed post office in a small west Norfolk village provides a 'lifeline' for elderly customers who struggle to get to King's Lynn or Wisbech.

The new Tilney Saint Lawrence post office, at the village hall site next to the William Day Centre, was officially opened on Wednesday by West Norfolk mayor David Whitby.

The previous sub-post office was run from the front room of the family home of postmistress Linda Petts, also in Magdalen Road, about 175 metres from the new site. The relocation was made to allow her family to get their home back.

The branch will continue to be run by Mrs Petts, whose grandmother Ethel Frith, and mother, Jean Holland, ran it before her.

The first post office in the village was set up in September 1939 at Friths' Stores in Magdalen Road, and it moved to the Petts' front room in 1964.

Wendy Hamilton, the Post Office's field change adviser, said: 'The new location secures services for the future.'

Borough ward councillor Barry Ayres, who project-managed the conversion, said: 'It has cost about £18,000 and was established thanks to the efforts of Tilney St Lawrence village committee and Dr Punsfer's gift charity, which makes grants to charitable organisations in the parish.

'It is a popular service with residents from several communities and provides a lifeline for older residents who have difficulty travelling to King's Lynn or Wisbech to visit the main post offices.'

It comes as the EDP urges people to have their say on the future role of the Post Office network, as part of a government consultation.

The consultation closes on December 21. To share your views, email po.consultation@ukgi.gov.uk

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