JUBILANT villagers are celebrating saving their sub-post office from closure.

The Post Office had threatened to shut it as part of a cost-cutting blitz on small branches across Kent.

But a determined campaign by local people, who held a public meeting and bombarded the company with letters of protest, has paid off.

Although an official announcement is not due until Friday, they have learned that the Post Office has relented and spared the branch at Goodnestone, near Canterbury, from being axed.

It is the second time they have rallied to save local services. In 2006 residents mounted a successful campaign to save the village school from closure.

Postmistress Joy Parkinson said: "I am very pleased and local people who fought a very good campaign are hugely relieved.

"I would just urge residents to use the business as much as possible so we can remain viable. I am also hoping that the publicity about the post office being saved will also now attract other customers to the branch in Goodnestone."