VILLAGERS in Upper Welland will soon have a new post office.

The former post office, at Upper Welland Village Stores, closed more than a year ago, to the regret of many local people.

But the shop now has new owners, who plan to bring back post office services to the village.

Donald Scott Murray and his wife Natalie took over Upper Welland Village Stores last year and have been granted a licence to run a post office four mornings a week. They hope this will be up and running within the next two months.

The couple moved to Malvern from Hong Kong, when Mr Murray was offered a job here. With two children to look after, his wife wanted to run a small business from home.

"We'd thought about a B&B but saw the shop for sale and it seemed ideal for us," said Mrs Murray.

"I've always lived in villages and shops are the centre of the community."

Mrs Murray, who previously worked in engineering, admitted that running the shop had been a steep learning curve. However, the business is doing well, selling a wide range of fresh local produce, as well as the usual groceries. There are also plans to expand its delicatessen range.

"We've been busy and there's still a lot of work to do," said Mrs Murray.

Carol Chinn, who has worked in the shop for four years, will be helping to run the post office.

"People have already started asking us when the post office will open. We think there is a demand for it in the village," said Mrs Murray.

Malvern Wells Parish Council Chairman Jan Bowden, speaking at a parish council meeting last week, said she was very pleased a post office was reopening in the village.

"Usually we hear about rural post offices closing. This is really good news," she said.