TWO villages in Renfrewshire are to benefit from a new mobile Post Office operated by the postmaster for Johnstone.

From Monday, February 14, a range of Post Office services will be restored in Lochwinnoch and Houston on selected days.

This new development follows the controversial closure of Lochwinnoch’s only Post Office, within the Spar store, in Main Street, in October.

Alan Bissett, chair of Lochwinnoch Community Council, said he is “delighted” by the return of postal services in the village.

He told The Gazette: “Obviously it’s never going to be the same as a full postal service that is open every day but it’s certainly better than none at all.

“Having to get a bus to Johnstone adds time and cost, so to have a mobile Post Office service will certainly make things easier for people in Lochwinnoch, especially older people.”

Councillor Derek Bibby, who represents Lochwinnoch, added: “The withdrawal of the service from the Spar at the end of October was a major blow to the village, resulting in residents having to travel to Johnstone or Kilbirnie to access services and involving additional cost and considerable inconvenience.

“I want to thank Johnstone postmaster Ewan Shaw for driving this forward and am pleased to have been involved in the process.

“The mobile service is a significant first step in recognising the importance of postal services in those rural communities that have seen cuts over the years.”

In Lochwinnoch, the mobile Post Office will be stationed at the McKillop Institute car park between 9am and 11am on Mondays, 3pm and 4.30pm on Thursdays and 10.45am and 11.45am on Fridays.

For Houston, the service will be available at The Old Smithy car park, in North Street, from 3pm to 4.15pm on Mondays and 12.15pm to 1.15pm on Fridays.