CHIPPENHAM NEWS: THE village of Kington St Michael, near Chippenham, is about to buck the national trend and open a new community post office and general store.

Local people have been the driving force behind the £35,000 project. They have pulled together to secure grant funding and have held local events to raise more than £10,000 towards the new service which has seen part of an old church school transformed into the new post office.

The former service, which was attached to a house, closed in February 2003.

Village project co-ordinator Linda Durno said: "An enormous amount of work has gone into it.

"Plans were drawn, advice taken and fundraising started. Initial estimates showed that between £25,000 and £45,000 was needed for the conversion works.

"Villagers joined in the fundraising by holding a variety of events.

"The post office sub-committee was also able to secure grants from the parish council, North Wiltshire District Council, the Countryside Agency, Post Office Ltd and Rural Revival."

The new post office and shop will open for business at 9am on March 29.