A COUPLE who ran North Woodchester Post Office for 18 years have retired.

Tony and Maggie Lait were at the heart of the community – their house on Selsley Road being next door to the business.

Mrs Lait even once set up a cafe and gift shop called Lovelies in what is now her living room.

Villagers say the couple have done a lot for the community and will be sadly missed.

Mr Lait, who is 65 next year and was the sub-postmaster, said he would like to travel now he has more free time and his wife would like to refurbish their house.

He said: "We enjoyed being at the focal point of the village. But we've been there 18 years which is quite a long time in one job. We thought it was time to move on."

New owners Terry and Linda Walters, who have moved to the village from Gloucester, want to make sure the post office thrives. Terry is now receiving training so that he can become the new sub-postmaster.

Linda said: "It's all a new experience for us at the moment. We have not run a post office or retail business before so are just trying to learn the ropes.

Well-wishers held a celebration for Mr and Mrs Lait on Friday and presented them with a voucher to spend at Calcot Manor and a big bunch of flowers.