Signed, sealed, delivered - it's official.

People living in Hingham are celebrating after it was revealed that a post office which closed last year is to reopen.

The Market Place office closed last summer after its postmaster and mistress retired.

At the time, many of the town's elderly residents were left fearful over a lack of access to banking and mail services.

But thanks to a tireless campaign from South Norfolk Councillor Yvonne Bendle, a new outreach service will operate three mornings a week in the town's Lincoln Hall, on The Fairland.

She said: 'We are so pleased that this has all come together. I started work on this probably around 18 months ago, because it is so important, and it is wonderful that we now have it back.

'It helps everyone but particularly some of the vulnerable people in the town.'

Mrs Bendle visited Hingham's shops and businesses to explore the possibility of a local model - a counter offering services in an existing premise - but hit a brick wall.

'The problem we had is that a lot of the shops are in old or conservation buildings so some of those who wanted to help would not have been able to,' she said.

Now, the new service will open from 9.30am to 12.30pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in the small committee room of the building.

Mrs Bendle thanked the Lincoln Hall committee for being 'extremely supportive'.

She added that a grant from South Norfolk Council had funded a new door to the room and work on the main walkway from the car park to the door to ensure it is suitable for those with disabilities.

It will be managed by a postmaster who runs an office at Costessey.

Mrs Bendle said: 'It is lucky we have people like that in the community, willing to help out.'

Peter Eldridge, chair of Hingham Town Council, said: 'It will certainly help the vast majority of the businesses and also most of the people living in the town to have the post office again.'

The post office is expected to open next Friday, April 17.

Do you have a Hingham story? Email reporter Lauren Cope on lauren.cope@archant.co.uk