A DATE has been set for the reopening of Tytherington village post office.

The post office branch that closed last September as part of network restructuring will open its doors once again to customers on Monday, June 29.

The re-opening of the post office has only been made possible thanks to a carefully agreed £20,000 funding package made up from several contributors, which will cover set-up and running costs for the next three years.

South Gloucestershire Council has agreed to give £13,000, £39,000 in total over the three years. The Frome Vale Area Forum has contributed £3,000, the residents of Tytherington are paying £4,000 through an increase in council tax and a contribution has also been made from Tytherington Village Shop which houses the post office counter.

Jeremy Evans, chairman of Tytherington Village shop, said since the closure eight months ago parish leaders had been working tirelessly along side local politicians to reverse the Post Office’s decision.

He said: "All those concerned with this important part of village life acknowledge, with extreme gratitude, the assistance provided by Steve Webb MP, Cllr Howard Gawler for his help with the Area Forum and John Calway.

"With a show of determination to resurrect the post office by the village, to reach a majority decision to increase the precept together, with financial assistance from South Gloucestershire Council and the village shop, the opening on the 29th June has been made possible."

The new Tytherington Post Office will be a counter of Cromhall Post Office by agreement with its sub-postmistress Sue Baines and it will be open 10 hours a week for local people to access services.

The post office re-opening received further support recently when Tytherington resident Alice Johnson asked friends and family to make donations to the post office in lieu of presents for her 90th birthday. In total £525 was raised and donated to the re-opening.