WHEN security alarm company staff turned up at a farm building to fix a post office's security system they wondered if they had arrived at to the right place.

They had, and from yesterday customers were able to buy strawberries, soups and stamps at Kay's farm shop, Sessay.

Owners Simon and Jane Fishwick, who have run the fresh food farm business for the last couple of years, have diversified and brought post office facilities back to the small community. The opening of the sub-post office is the culmination of a two-year campaign by Hambleton District Coun Neville Huxtable since the village post office closed in January 2001.

"Two other prospective candidates fell by the wayside mainly due to the Post Office's attitude to rural post offices and it looked as though villagers would have to manage without a postal facilities in the future," he said.

"But then when I asked Simon and his wife, Jane, if they were interested in running the post office they agreed-and I am delighted that we now have facilities back in the area."

Mr Fishwick said: "I dare say our office is a little different than what is usual, but we have had lots of support from villagers and hope that the two products we offer will complement each other."