Harold Churchill has spoken about his relief at being spared a jail sentence and his gratitude to those who supported him.

Mr Churchill is in the process of sending thank you cards and letters to the people of Bratton who spoke out in his defence.

More than 40 people wrote letters on behalf of Mr Churchill, pointing out his community spirit and the help he was prepared to give to others in the village.

Many villagers were in the public gallery at Swindon Crown Court when he was sentenced on Friday.

Mr Churchill said: "Whilst I was not unaware of all the letters and support, I did not know the extent of it until Friday. People have been incredibly supportive."

Defending him in court, his solicitor, Claire Marlowe spoke of the Churchills' community spirit.

She said: "They would go out of their way to deliver things to the elderly and infirm members of the community."

The 57-year-old said he had been warned to prepare himself psychologically for a jail sentence.

Of his two-year suspended jail term he said: "I'm still wandering around in a daze. It's going to be a while before I realise that I'm not in custody."

Although the post office is now closed, and a new one opened as part of Hillworth stores, Mr Churchill has continued to deliver newspapers on six different rounds in Bratton and Edington.

The old post office has been for sale since March. As a buyer was not found for the property as a business, it is now for sale as a private residence.

Mr and Mrs Churchill hope to find a buyer by the spring.

The couple, who moved to Bratton from Poole, Dorset, 13 years ago, want to stay in the area.