AN MP has hailed the important presence of post offices in Cumbria 's communities.

Carlisle's John Stevenson highlighted their worth as he marked the official reopening of the outlet in Scotby - an acknowledging its postmaster's unique status.

The village branch is the latest in Cumbria 's network to be revamped as part of a national programme to ensure the Post Office network is fit for modern demands.

As well as running services Scotby, staff lead a wide-ranging outreach programme to communities.

Conservative Mr Stevenson said: "Post Offices are vital hubs in their local communities, and that is certainly true in and around Carlisle, where people often tell me how much they value the essential services that the Post Office provides, from mails to banking.

“ I am delighted to be here to officially launch the new-look Scotby Post Office , and to mark the fact that the branch also provides services to an impressive 18 communities.”

Postmaster Darren McDonagh runs the office and its outreach services.

He is thought to be the only postmaster in Britain who runs Post Office services in both Scotland and England, with his outreach work stretching from west Cumbria to Dumfriesshire .

His work includes "hosted outreach" - in community buildings - at Irthington, Hayton, Thursby, Castle Carrock, Maulds Meaburn, Road Head, Stapleton and Hallbankgate.

Mr McDonagh also uses a mobile Post Office van - kitted out as a walk-in Post Office - at Ennerdale Bridge, Cleator Moor, Calder Bridge , Crawford, Middlebie, Cargo, Blackford, Herhersgill, Smithfield, Scaleby, Distington (temporary) and Moresby Park (temporary).

He said: "We are delighted that our mobile outreach services means we can cater to more customers.

"I’m very proud of the work myself and the Scotby team do every day. Knowing we are helping people is what gets us all out of bed in the mornings."

Communities across Cumbria have long fought to save their Post Office services with the outreach work becoming increasingly important as branches in many smaller communities have closed, along with village shops and pubs.

The regular sessions through the outreach work means that many with limited access to public transport do not have to make long journeys to bigger communities to access services.

Scotby Post Office was recently recognised as a top performing outlet in the community category of the Post Office Network Sales Awards.

Network operations manager Karen Bragg is also pleased with the work - and recognition for the family team at Scotby.

She said: “We understand how important having Post Office services are to residents in these areas, which are vital lifelines to these communities.

“When asked this year if there was any outstanding postmasters in my area Darren, Helen and Harry were the first people that came to mind."