16474THE OPENING of a post office in Atworth has been welcomed by residents and business owners.

The Bear Garage opened to customers on Thursday only three months after the closure of the village's former branch, based at the White Hart pub.

About 30 people toasted the opening at which Atworth parish chairman William Bird praised garage staff for reinstating the service.

Garage owner Diana Norris, 48, said: "Cllr Bird thanked us for doing all the work and keeping the post office going for the villagers and the community and said how they have missed it for the last few months."

The former branch closed in October after the retirement of the postmaster, but last week's opening has sparked hope amid the closure of branches across west Wiltshire.

The Bear garage serves more than 600 customers a day and with the addition of the post office the figure is set to increase.

Mrs Norris said the experience had brought new challenges but with the help of 21-year-old manager Kirsty Size they were keeping on top of the increased trade.

"It's completely different because the post office offers so many services. The only things we can't do are tax discs and passport checks," she said.