NEW postmaster Mike Clark's decision to re-open a post office in a Gwent village is keeping him busy.

Villagers in Penhow and people from the surrounding area have had to travel up to five miles to the nearest post office after the one at the village store closed two years ago.

But Mr Clark, who has owned the Penhow store for a year, has re-introduced post office services, and said opening day trade had been "more or less non-stop".

"We can't do car taxes, but apart from that, most of the services you would expect from a post office are available," he said.

"There's been a really good response. Customers have been asking me about it since I took over the store and hopefully this will make people's lives easier.

"It's about investing in the community as well. Post offices are important parts of life in countless towns and villages.

"I have lived here for 20 years and I know this store is a big part of life around here.

"It's not sensible for people to have to rely on public transport or taxis to go and get their pensions or their TV savings stamps or whatever, when a place like this can provide that service."