VILLAGERS have welcomed the return of a post office service nine months after the suspected murder of the previous postmistress.

A mobile post office parked up in Melsonby, near Richmond, North Yorkshire, yesterday afternoon and will return today.

The village post office and store closed on March 23 when the body of owner Diana Garbutt, 40, was found in the living quarters.

Three weeks later, police arrested and then charged her husband, Robin, with murder.

Mr Garbutt, 45, denies killing his wife. A trial is scheduled to take place at Teesside Crown Court in March.

Community leaders had expressed concern that residents would not use the replacement service after being forced to make other arrangements since the closure of the village branch.

However, the service was proving popular yesterday, with villagers taking along items to post, buying stamps and collecting benefits.

Among the users was Sue Martel. She said the post office and shop was badly missed by the village, adding: “I can’t see us getting a shop again.”

Joyce Hallgren, another resident who used the service, said: “We’re pleased that it’s back. I’ve missed it, but then I do a lot of postage. I do go into town, but I do think to have a local post office is a necessity.”

The mobile service is operated by Bedale Post Office.

The van visits several other villages in North Yorkshire, including Middleham, Snape and Crakehall.

Noel Carnell, who operates the mobile branch, said talks with the Post Office about providing a service in Melsonby had taken several months, and it was only recently that they got the go-ahead.

“In some villages it’s the pensions that people miss, in others it’s just being able to post things,” he said.

“I think people really appreciate having a mobile service.”

The mobile post office will be parked in Aldbrough Road, Melsonby, on Tuesdays, from 2.30pm until 4.30pm, and on Wednesdays, between 1.30pm and 3.30pm.