A POST office will be set up inside Grange Leisure Centre in Stratton before Christmas.

At first, the service will only be open for two hours every Monday.

However, if enough people use the new post office, opening hours are likely to be extended and it could be opened on more days each week.

This all came about after Stratton St Margaret Parish Council chair Stuart Leach and council clerk Tracy Predeth met with Royal Mail staff to discuss the idea.

The Post Office’s area network change manager identified a postmaster from Shrivenham who is prepared to operate the service.

The outreach post office won’t bring in any income for the council, but it won’t cost them anything either.

The Post Office will supply their own telephone and internet line and security measures.

All that the council needs to supply is a desk and some space in the reception area of Grange Leisure.

Tracy said: “The Post Office would very much like the opportunity to see if it will work here.”

Parish councillors voted unanimously in favour of setting up the new service.

Coun Teresa Page said: “We’re happy to have it, this is great news.”