Postal services will once again be available in Hallbankgate near Brampton.

They will be the first of a number of facilities being brought back to the village since its only shop closed more than a year ago.

Hallbankgate Hub has arranged for a weekly post office service to be based in the former cooperative premises on Thursdays, from August 4.

Chairman John Foster said: "Although the building works are still not far enough advanced for us to reopen as a shop yet.

"This is, however, the first of the services lost in June last year which we have been able to reinstate, so it represents a bit of a milestone."

The outreach service - with normal local post office service and travel money - will be run by Darren McDonagh, sub-postmaster, from Scotby between 9.30am and 11.30am.

Until the refurbishment is complete it will operate from a temporary counter by the door of the shop.

The Hub group are aiming to reopen the shop, with a cafe and library link services, by September 1.