A LOCAL Post Office has received a special delivery that should help for smoother services for customers in the area.

The Ripon office has been given a brand new Mercedes Sprinter van, kitted out to provide a walk-in post office on wheels, with the added facility of an accessibility lift.

It is one of a whole new fleet being rolled out nationwide to create a more modern and reliable service and will serve an area taking in North Stainley, Borrowby Lower, Borrowby Upper, Kirkby Malzeard, Kirby Wiske, Baldersby, Helperby and Kirklington.

The mobile branches are operated by Post Office agents who can bring all of the services that their core branches provide to isolated areas.

The services include postage of letters and parcels, personal banking such as cash withdrawals, and savings and insurance, to provide convenient facilities for thousands of people every week.

The Sprinters are replacing the outgoing fleet of converted LDV vans, which have travelled around three million miles altogether over the past six years.

Spokesman Kevin Gilliland said: “We are very pleased to see this new mobile post office take to the road to provide vital services for customers in these areas.

“The Post Office is modernising to meet customers’ needs. We are investing in services across our network to make it easier for customers, whether that means they are served via one of our new vehicles in more isolated areas or at a modernised high street branch.”