Dingestow Post Office, which has been temporarily closed since December 2007, re-opened at the same location - the village stores at Queen's Hill - on Monday.

Gareth Shylon, Field Change Advisor for Post Office Ltd, said: "At a time of uncertainty for many branches in the network it's great news that we have been able to re-establish the branch.

"I know that the local community will join me in welcoming this news and hope that they will now get behind and support our agents in their new venture.

"Myra Bowen, proprietor of the village stores, said: "We had a really busy morning - we have been fighting hard to keep the Post Office open and were told that if we hadn't persisted we would have to be closed. "

Myra and her husband, Haydn, have also received another piece of good news - they have again been nominated for a Rural Retailer of the Year award.