Campaigners said Allington suffered hardship without a post office

Residents and councillors in Allington, near Maidstone, campaigned for a post office following the closure of the old one 12 months ago.

Part of the problem was finding a new postmaster but Bill Bhatia, who has 30 years' experience, believes the venture in Hildenborough Crescent will succeed.

"If you give good service a post office is not a bad business," he said.

'Great hardship'

"There is always a demand for it and I am sure we will be successful here."

In the past two years, 30 post offices have closed in Medway, 35 in the Canterbury area and 16 in and around Dartford.

Ward councillor Malcolm Robertson said the area had missed its post office.

"It has been a great hardship for many old folk in this area and this opening is an absolute boon," he said.