ULVERSTONIANS gave their stamp of approval after a long battle to save the town’s crown post office was brought to a successful conclusion.

Furness MP John Woodcock launched the 'Save Ulverston Post Office' campaign in January 2017 when company bosses said the County Square outlet would have to find a franchise partner or be shut down.

The campaign involved holding public meetings and collecting almost 8,000 signatures from people opposed to the closure.

At the end of November Post Office Limited announced that the threat of closure had been withdrawn.

Friday marked the completion of a three-week refurbishment during which period a temporary post office service was made available at the Flannery Centre in the town.

Mr Woodcock said: "Today’s reopening of the post office is a huge victory for the whole of the Ulverston community.

"Just over a year ago it seemed certain that the much needed services provided at the County Square branch would be lost, leaving residents and businesses to travel considerable distances to access crown services.

"However, the community really came together and I was proud to present almost 8,000 signatures to parliament on behalf of the town.

"If it hadn’t been for such determined campaigners like Malcolm Tyson, who walked nearly 500 miles in total while persuading people to sign, the Post Office Ltd would not have been aware of the value the community placed in their town centre post office.

"Credit should also go to the company itself for finding a way to keep the services in the centre of Ulverston, and also successfully limiting the impact of the closure on customers.

"I am extremely proud to have played a role in keeping Ulverston Post Office open for residents and business within my constituency.”

Campaigner Mr Tyson, of Victoria Park, said: "I am very happy with all the support we have had from the town so we can still have a post office in Ulverston.

"I am just pleased that all 7,889 people signed our petition and something has been done – it has been all very worthwhile."

Post office staff were given the opportunity of transferring to the new franchise under the same terms without any compulsory redundancies and all services will be maintained – with the addition of extra hours on Saturdays.