Villagers in Iffley, Oxford, were all set to celebrate the re-opening of their post office after a year's closure, but have been told they face another week's delay.

Computer problems have led to a minor setback to the re-opening of the post office, based in Iffley Community Shop, Church Way.

It took more than a year to find a new sub-postmaster after the woman who ran the office left for personal reasons in October 2000.

The replacement sub-postmaster is a retired computer programmer.

Herman Huyg, who lives in Blackbird Leys, said: "I heard about how the post office had been closed for so long, and Sue Reynolds, who runs the shop, asked if I would take over.

"I thought it would be a nice thing to do. It's a totally different job for me, but it fits well with my lifestyle.

"I sympathise with the computer problems Royal Mail is having; it all sounds very familiar. Hopefully, the whole system will be operational by next Thursday."

Royal Mail struggled to find a replacement sub-postmaster, so it shut the Iffley branch, leaving elderly and disabled people having to get to post offices further away.

But villagers, who had rallied to save their local shop when profits were running low, were determined not to give up the search for a sub-postmaster.

People flocked to the shop yesterday hoping to be able to use the re-opened post office.

Mrs Reynolds said: "We had let everyone in the village know and there has been a succession of people coming in to use the new post office. We had told them 'use it or lose it'.

"This is just a blip; we must remain optimistic. Another week's wait is a small price to pay after almost 18 months wait.

"The shop has been successful but it was opened with a post office and the two are irrevocably linked. There was serious concern we would not get the post office back because they have closed hundreds across the country in rural villages."

"There were delays and uncertainties for a long time. The wages are not great and Royal Mail was busy computerising other offices.

Royal Mail spokesman Floyd Jebson said: "Obviously, the key part here has been the work of the Iffley community. They were determined to get their post office back and we worked with them to make it happen."

The post office will be open on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am to 1pm and on Fridays and Saturdays from 10.30am to noon.