Grayshott Post Office has been awarded the prestigious accolade of ‘Best Branch Winner’ nationally for the first quarter of 2016/17 by the Post Office.

Sub-postmistress Michelle Reidy and her team were delighted with the recognition. It became a new-style local branch almost a year ago.

At the same time, Michelle and her husband Noel took the opportunity to re-model the shop area, extending it into the old stock room.

Michelle told The Herald: “This enabled us to increase and improve our existing range of cards, gifts and stationery.

“In addition, we have increased our opening times to 8am-6pm, Monday to Friday and 8am-3pm on Saturdays.

“Now many High Street banks are closing it is important customers can access their basic banking services like cash withdrawal, paying in cash and cheques, which is where the Post Office can bridge the gap left by these closures.”

Jim Whittle, who many customers will recognise, as he was sub-postmaster at Headley Down Post Office for many years, has recently joined the team at Crossways Road.

Michelle added: “We are delighted to welcome Jim to our team, he brings with him a wealth of experience and his Headley Down customers, who have migrated to us since the closure of their branch last October, are equally delighted to see him.”

From next month, the branch will be able to offer more foreign currencies with a dozen available – including euros, US dollars and Turkish Lira – and with no need to order.