MP HARRIET Baldwin has given the stamp of approval to a makeover of a busy Malvern post office.

The west Worcestershire MP joined shoppers to celebrate the official opening of the new-look Malvern Link Post Office, in Worcester Road.

She cut a ceremonial ribbon with sub-postmistress Anne Deegan before taking a tour of the facilities, which have been overhauled to provide a modern look and a greater range of services.

The post office now has three serving positions, inc-luding one at the branch’s general retail counter, meaning post office services are on offer for more than 20 extra hours a week.

Dozens of customers turned up for the official opening ceremony and Mrs Baldwin said: “I am very impressed with the new-look store and I am sure it will go down well with local shoppers.

“This is yet another impressive investment in Malvern Link and local people must be very proud of their local post office.”

She added: “Now that Royal Mail is in the private sector, I would like to emphasise this government’s commitment to the Post Office network which remains in public ownership.

“Not only have we committed to keeping 11,500 post offices open, the Government is backing that commitment with £1.34 billion of subsidy.”

Mrs Deegan said: “I was delighted to have the opportunity to modernise the branch and I am very pleased to be officially launching it for the community.

“I hope our customers like the new branch and I’d like to thank Harriett for coming. “I’d also like to thank the local community for their continued support and use of the branch.”

Post Office regional manager Richard Lynds said: “We understand how important having a post office is to residents in the area and I am confident that this new modern post office will meet the needs of the local community and secure services for the future.”