People in Ham have welcomed a post office to the area, which will open for business in June.

The post office, which will open in the Newsdip newsagents in Ashburnham Road, will trade on a year’s trial when it opens on June 11 after a lengthy campaign to get it open.

The last post office in Ham was lost when the one in Ham Parade shut in 2005.

Minaxi Patel, who owns the shop with her husband Ramesh, was delighted with the new addition.

The 52-year-old said: “It is very exciting. The community really need it as we have not got one in this area.

“My customers have been asking for a post office and so we have tried very hard to get one.”

The nearest post office for people in Ham is in Tudor Drive, Kingston.

For the new post office to continue trading the viability of the Tudor Drive post office cannot suffer and ward councillors said they would run a “use it or lose it” campaign.

Councillor David Williams, ward member for Ham and Petersham, said: “This is the successful outcome of three years of persistent campaigning, including lobbying, fundraising and helping with a sound business plan.

“I cannot speak more highly of Mr and Mrs Patel who have turned that business around in an amazing way.”

MP Zac Goldsmith said: “Post offices are essential assets for any community, and it’s fantastic news for Ham residents that we will have one at the heart of the village.

“I am very grateful to post office network for taking this up.”