THE keys to Dulverton Post Office have changed hands with the retirement of long-serving postmaster Chris Duberry.

Taking over is businesswoman Melanie Poole, who has saved the Exmoor town’s Post Office from closure.

Ms Poole also runs Everest Natural Pet Company, in Williton, and PurpleHorse Embroidery and PurpleHorse Equestrian Laundry, in Bishops Lydeard.

She stepped forward to take on the Post Office last summer when Mr Duberry announced he was to retire.

He was initially intending to retire in the autumn but agreed to stay on while Ms Poole’s application was being processed by the Post Office.

After undergoing the necessary vetting and training, Ms Poole was approved in time for a seamless transition from Mr Duberry, whose wife Christine, the Mayor of Dulverton, also worked in the Post Office until retirement in 2023.

Ms Poole told the Free Press it was ‘business as usual’ but with longer trading hours.

She said: “I came to Dulverton to open a pet shop, and ended up on a journey to save the Post Office from closure as I could see it was vital service for the local community and therefore felt that if I could do something to keep it open I will do what I can.

“Now the transfer has happened I am really pleased with what we have achieved in keeping the Post Office in Dulverton open.

“It was a long process and hopefully working alongside the pet shop they will compliment each other and will be here for number of years to come.”

Ms Poole thanked Mr and Mrs Duberry for all the support they had given her and said she was looking forward to a future running the Post Office.

Among the Post Office staff serving at the counter will be her mother Melanie Poole.