A VILLAGE was celebrating yesterday as its post office re-opened after more than a year.

People living in Heighington, near Darlington, have struggled without a post office since the village's service closed in July last year.

Postmaster Bob Wilson said that electronic pensions payments made the business unviable and closed it down.

Villagers felt the loss of the service and appealed for a replacement.

Councillor Gerald Lee took up the challenge and, after a few setbacks, the new post office opened for business in the village hall yesterday, with Ron Taylor working as postmaster.

Coun Lee said: "When the Post Office closed so many people contacted me to say it wasn't on, so I hope now we have a new one they will make full use of it."