RESIDENTS in Chillaton will be pleased to be keeping their Post Office service after a search for new premises has proved successful.

The village Post Office service, which was housed in the Chichester Arms, was temporarily stopped at the end of January after the pub closed its doors to the public for renovation work. There were concerns that the service would not be able to continue in the village unless suitable alternative premises were found. However, after only a couple of weeks of searching and appealing to the public for a small room with a table in an outbuilding or other premises, the Post Office has now found a permanent residence in Marystowe Church Hall.

The service, run by Mary and Steve Taylor from Gunnislake Post Office, started operating again from the church hall on Tuesday.

The national Post Office is prepared to bear the cost of the relocation and the Parochial Church Council has agreed to the use of the hall. The council will not be charging any rent because it is a social service for the village.

Steve Taylor said: 'It is fantastic news that we can keep the Post Office service going in Chillaton. Although the church hall is slightly out of the village, it is better than not having a service at all.'

The hours of operation are the same as before, from 9am to noon on Tuesdays and 2pm to 5pm on Thursdays.