FERNHURST residents are being urged to support a twice-weekly mobile post office service introduced on Monday – and demonstrate the need for the full-time branch they lost in January.

Just a year after villagers celebrated saving the post office that had served Fernhurst for 135 years from the same historic premises next to the village hall, the future of the service was under threat again.

There were big celebrations in February 2018 when village electrical contractor Dudman-Ward opened the relocated facility in his shop in Crossfield.

But the retail unit closed last month, and the search was on again to find alternative premises in the village.

The closure of Fernhurst Post Office has hit residents hard as it also leaves the village with nowhere to cash money or buy prepaid cards for electricity and gas. Residents without cars have had to make a lengthy bus journeys north to Haslemere or south to Midhurst to get to the nearest facility and to take out cash.

Fernhurst Centre volunteer Aphra Peard is one of many residents who fear the village could lose a vital service if alternative shop premises can’t be found.

“When we had a regular post office there were queues,” she said. “ It was always busy. It’s critical to be able to draw out cash. Having a village post office also enhances a community.

“When you go in, you meet people you know. It’s a good way of keeping in touch with your neighbours.

“A lot of people have been coming in here and saying how upset they are.”

Fernhurst Parish Council jumped into action to lobby the Post Office and the district council to find alternatives premises, when the unit closed - taking the branch with it.

Chairman Heather Bicknell was relieved when the local mobile post office service was able to include Fernhurst on its round at short notice. The post office van, which also offers disabled access, will be open for business in the village hall car park from 8.30am to 10.30am on Monday and Thursday.

Mrs Bicknell said: “The mobile service is on a six-month trial and we need to use it to make it worth his while and also show a full-time service is required. A lot of people have said it’s not enough right now it’s all we have. We can’t force the Post Office to open another one – they will only piggyback on someone else’s business now. ”

Norma Graves, Fernhurst ward member for Chichester District Council, pledged her full support and is hopeful another village business will come forwards to host the service.

A Post Office spokesperson said: “Because of circumstances beyond our control, Fernhurst Post Office has been temporarily closed since early January. We apologise for any inconvenience.

“However, customers can access post office services from the mobile van which will visit the town on Mondays and Thursdays on a temporary basis. Customers should be assured the Post Office is committed to maintaining services in the area and we continue to look for a permanent solution.”