A village has regained its post office after over a month's delay due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Smarden regained its postal service today, with a temporary postmaster running a part-time branch in the village hall.

Originally due to open at the end of March, the postponement came as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic as Post Office training staff were not available.

A part-time service for the time being, it is expected to become a full-time operation in due course.

The opening hours are 9am to 12pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

When possible this full-time branch will open.

Recently a new extension was built at the Smarden Village Hall on Chessenden Lane to accommodate a shop and a Post Office.

The extension offers newspapers, groceries, a community coffee corner and community information hub, plus a public toilet and free water station.

There, a temporary service had been operated by the postmaster for Headcorn, but that service was not able to continue because of staffing issues due to the pandemic and underlying health issues.

Samantha Coe, Post Office change manager, said: “We understand and appreciate how much communities rely on our services. We are pleased to have been able to restore a part-time service until the plans for a full-time service can be fulfilled.”

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