THE sub-postmaster in Bere Alston was overwhelmed by the volume of good wishes following her retirement after working in the village post office for more than 25 years.

Marion Gray has been sub-postmaster for the past 13 years, the business being owned by her husband Peter and herself during that time, but she started work in the office more than 12 years earlier when Brian Briggs was sub-postmaster.

Marion said in a thank you letter to the local parish magazine that she had come to know many of the people of the Bere peninsula as friends and looked forward to their visits, but after all the years and memories she felt the time was now right to hand over the safe-keeping of the post office.

Saying she had been 'overwhelmed with the volume of well wishes, letter and gifts', Marion thanked customers, Hope Cottage patrons, her counter assistants Yvonne and Georgie and Royal Mail staff for their presents and cards. A surprise party organised by Yvonne and Georgie brought together colleagues past and present.

The parish council also presented Marion and Peter with a gift on December 3 to mark the occasion and in recognition of 'the outstanding service they have given to the parish'.

The new sub-postmaster is Annabelle King.