A NEW post office service in Easter Compton has received the support of the local MP.

Jack Lopresti, MP for Filton and Bradley Stoke, visited the post office service to see how it was getting on since it reopened three months ago.

"I am delighted that the new service is up and running and I hope that local residents will continue to support this essential service," he said.

The Easter Compton Post Office branch was closed in June last year after the building it was in on Blackhorse Hill was sold and there were no alternative locations in the village to move to.

Last summer a petition, started by local resident Marian Bennett, collected more than 250 signatures demanding the Post Office reinstate the village branch because of the high number of pensioners in the area.

After months of campaigning and the support of local MP Mr Lopresti, a new replacement but reduced service was introduced in November in Easter Compton Village Hall three mornings a week.

Mr Lopresti said he had been keen to support the Easter Compton community in getting their post office service back.

"Local services are vital in creating a sense of community. I am full of admiration to the local residents who have played a crucial role in securing this Post Office service.

"When I was first contacted about the closure of the Easter Compton Post Office back in the summer it quickly became clear that there was a real demand locally for continued postal services," he added.

The Easter Compton Post Office outreach service runs from Easter Compton Village Hall by a sub-postmaster from the Severn Beach branch on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, 9.30am to 12.30pm. Services available include postal, banking and pensions.