A post office has opened in a popular Ipswich convenience store - after customers asked the shop to take on the new branch.

Heath Road Post Office, at Heath News, closed without warning in June 2017 - leaving people in the area without a service.

However, people asked Broke Hall Convenience - which is an 11-minute walk away - to take on the branch instead.

As a result, it has now opened the Penshurst Road Post Office - restoring a vital service to residents.

The new postmasters say they are looking forward to the new venture and are keen to support the community in whatever way they can.

Ipswich Star: Inside the Penshurst Road Post OfficeInside the Penshurst Road Post Office (Image: Post Office)

The Post Office approved the move after a consultation last month.

Wendy Hamilton, network provision lead at Post Office, said: “We are delighted to have restored a full-time post office to this area of Ipswich, as we know how important post office services are to a community.”

Post office services including special deliveries, banking services and ordering money for travel will be available for a total of 105 a week, including during evenings and weekends.

Work still needs to be done to make the site fully accessible, with a step being made disability-friendly and a hearing loop installed inside, along with space for a wheelchair.

Broke Hall Convenience is open daily from 6am to 9pm.

Ipswich Star: Parking is available in front of Penshurst Road Post OfficeParking is available in front of Penshurst Road Post Office (Image: Post Office)