A VILLAGE post office has officially opened its doors to the public - after a long-running campaign to save it.

Gill and Peter Mayo have taken over the reins at the modernised Burton Bradstock Post Office, which was under threat of closure. Concerns were raised last summer when sub-postmistress Gwen Holdcroft announced she would be leaving.

But Burton Bradstock Parish Council spearheaded a campaign to keep the post office open at Mill Lane.

The new owners are also still looking after their 150-acre farm in Shipton Lane - finding time to look after the welfare of 30 pigs, 100 sheep and 50 cattle. Local produce from the couple's Maydown Farm is being sold in the post office.

They also make their own award-winning sausages, cure their own bacon and make black pudding and faggots.

The post office was officially opened by Cllr Keith Delves, and Peter Colbert from the Burton Bradstock Village Society - as dozens of villagers turned out to show their support.

Mrs Mayo said: "The response has been absolutely brilliant.

"The support from the local community has been fantastic and the villagers have been very kind to us. We are absolutely thrilled with the response.

"We had a farm shop at Shipton Lane, but it was a bit off the beaten track for some of our customers - so this was an ideal opportunity to put it back into the village.

"I have lived in Burton all my life and the thought of the post office closing was a no go. The opening shows how important a post office is to the community."

Cllr Delves said he was pleased the post office has remained in the same building, which is part owned by the Parish Council - but warned that villagers need to continue to support the business.

"It's a great moment for the community - not just in Burton Bradstock, but the surrounding rural areas too" he said.

"I think it is very important to the village. The most vital thing is to get through to the community that people need to continue to support the shop - it is a case of use it or lose it.

"It was essential to make sure the Post Office Local remained in the centre of the village, where everyone can access it."