Kent MP Michael Fallon visited a Kent post office to support a new banking service now available to customers.

The Defence Secretary visited the Sevenoaks branch in his constituency to celebrate the new Post Office Current Account.

A pilot had been launched in 110 branches since May last year and the first wave provided insight into how post offices could adapt the current account before making it widely available.

Once an account is opened at a pilot office, customers will be able to manage it online, over the phone or at any of the 11,500 branches nationwide.

Mr Fallon, said: “These new accounts will make it much easier for people to do their banking at their local post office, close to home without having to travel far.

"This is particularly good news for the elderly and disabled.”

He also welcomed a new national scheme at the South Park branch on Friday, July 25, which now makes it easier for people to switch Current Account provider.

The new Payments Council Current Account Switch Guarantee and Trustmark promises seven day switching to give customers confidence that all their regular payments and receipts will follow to the new account.

“These new accounts will make it much easier for people to do their banking at their local post office, close to home without having to travel far..." - MP Michael Fallon

Customers will receive a £100 gift card incentive when they open an account and by the end of September Current Accounts can be opened in 239 branches in the UK.

Sevenoaks Post Office manager, Ricardo Humes, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be offering the current account.

"This is an important step forward for Sevenoaks Post Office and especially for our customers and the local community.

"We already offer a number of financial services products and this new account will further meet our customers’ needs. We have worked very hard to offer accounts that are fair and transparent with no surprises.”

For more information visit www.postoffice.co.uk/currentaccounts.