A former TUI store has been transformed into a Post Office.

The new branch has opened in Gravesend after the old one closed in March when WHSmith – where it was based – shut.

There were plans to relocate the store to a unit a few doors down in Kempthorne Street but these fell through due to "unexpected" changes.

After a lengthy search for a new home, an experienced postmaster, who already runs Roshville Post Office, was chosen and has now opened the new town centre branch.

Postmaster Harry Goraya said: "People are delighted there is a Post Office in the centre of Gravesend again. It is close to my other branch which is handy for me.

"One customer came into Rosherville Post Office recently and he did not know that I was taking on the Gravesend branch.

"He said 'I really like coming here as you and the staff are so friendly, but I will be using Gravesend when it opens as it is closer and easier to get to'. I wanted to explain.

"I just said 'thank you', I smiled and said 'I think that you will find the staff there friendly too'. I am looking forward to seeing his reaction when I serve him."

Harry and three members of staff from the previous Gravesend branch will work at the new store, so there will be lots of familiar faces.

He has run the branch in Rosherville for 39 years and his wife, Charnjit, has also been the postmaster at New Eltham for the past three years.

Last week, the Mayor of Gravesham Cllr Peter Scollard cut the ribbon to officially open the new premises.

The regular customer at Rosherville Post Office, said: "Harry Goraya is already a highly regarded postmaster, who has served the community in Rosherville for nearly four decades.

"He is friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. I am pleased to officially open his new branch in the heart of Gravesend, providing essential Post Office services to residents, businesses and shoppers. I wish him well."

The new store at unit 32 in the St George's Centre, next to BB's, is around 100 metres away from its old location and offers a mains Post Office and store selling cards, gifts and stationery.

Post Office network provision lead, Sam Coe, said: "We are delighted to have restored a full-time Post Office service to central Gravesend as we know how important it is to a community.

"We are pleased that this has been achieved before Christmas."

It will be open Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm and Saturday from 9am to 2pm.