A COUPLE who left their nine to five jobs to run a village post office have been nominated for a prestigious award.

Glenn and Emma Bratley, who have run Clifton Hampden Stores in High Street for five years, have been entered in the central and west region of the Best Post Office awards.

Customers in the village near Abingdon nominated the post office for its exceptional and reliable service.

Mrs Bratley, 36, said: “It’s great news. We were runner-up a couple of years ago so it’s nice to feel we are still doing well and still appreciated by the community here. It’s fabulous.

“The comments that came back were incredible. Our customers felt we were friendly and welcoming.”

Mrs Bratley left her job in sales and Mr Bratley, also 36, left his job in insurance to realise their dream of owning a village shop and post office.

The couple, who are expecting their first child this month, are helped by Mrs Bratley’s mum, Gillian Ireland.

Mrs Bratley said: “We took over the shop in April 2004. Before that we both lived and worked in the real world with normal lives and normal jobs.

“After facing redundancy for the third time we decided to up-sticks and try something new.

“It’s a real family business and we all live and work in Clifton Hampden.”

The couple have immersed themselves in local life, which includes taking part in the Macmillan Coffee Morning each September and the village’s Christmas Fair.

They gave the shop a complete refit when they took over and expanded the merchandise to include gifts and jewellery.

Three years after taking over Clifton Hampden Stores, Mr and Mrs Bratley came third in Oxfordshire County Council’s Village Shop of the Year competition.

Mrs Bratley added: “We are hugely appreciative of all the support we receive.

“We work hard but it would be nothing if nobody came in the shop.”

The finalists of the regional competition will be announced at the end of the month, with the winners going on to compete in the national final on May 21.

Post Office spokesman Mike Dalton said: “These awards are a great opportunity for our customers to tell us which branches are the very best in the region.

“Whether the people visit the Post Office to pay their bills or pick up their travel money, we’re delighted that they feel these teams should be recognised for their hard work and excellent customer service.”