RESIDENTS have had their prayers answered as the search for a village post office is finally over.

Fed-up villagers in Northop Hall were forced to travel to Connah’s Quay, Mold or Ewloe after the branch on Village Road closed suddenly last April.

No stone was left unturned in the hunt for a new premises.

The Black Lion, the Boars Head Inn and Northop Hall Cricket Club were all considered but the Methodist church on Village Road proved most popular with locals.

Its community hall is now undergoing a refurbishment before it opens for business in August.

Local county councillor Tony Sharps led the campaign to find new premises and says he is thrilled that it has succeeded.

He told the Leader: “We looked at a number of locations but it was the Methodist church that ticked all the right boxes.

“It has got ramp access for disabled people and it is on a free bus route, which is even better.

“We had to convince the Post Office that we had found the right location and then we had to find somebody to run it.

“The closure of the post office caused great frustration for villagers but now they have it back. I’m delighted.”

Subject to final approval by the Post Office, the new facility will be operated for three days each week by the sub-postmaster of Flint.

New windows and solar panels on the roof have already been installed thanks to grants from Cadwyn Clwyd, among other organisations.

Among the delighted residents is Lilian Davies-Edgington, 99, from St Mary’s Drive, Northop Hall, who has lived in the village all her life.

She said: “I have had to pay someone to go and collect my pension for me while this one has been closed.

“It is marvellous that we will have a post office in the village again.”

A Post Office spokesman said: “In line with our code of practice, we are consulting with local people to gain their views before announcing a final decision.

“We believe this option offers the best possible solution to enable us to secure Post Office services in the village for the longer term.”

Under the consultation process, people can send their views to Post Office Limited, c/o National Consultation Team, PO Box 2060, Watford, WD18 8ZW or email consultation@postoffice.co.uk

It is proposed that the new post office will be open on Tuesdays from 12.30pm-4.30pm, Wednesdays from 9.30am-1.30pm and Fridays from 9.30am-1.30pm.