Customers at a post office have helped it earn a top accolade.

Walton Street Post Office and Stores, in Jericho, Oxford, was chosen from more than 3,000 post offices in the North Thames and East Anglia region to receive one of five highly commended certificates.

Staff were given the award after more than 100 customers returned questionnaires praising the service they provide.

Postmaster Tony Tratt and manager Kelly Ahmet were presented this week with a framed certificate and bottle of bubbly for their efforts.

Tony, who has run the post office with his wife, Janet, for four and a half years, said: "This means a great deal to us because it is down to our customers.

"People took time to write down nice things about us and that makes us feel like we are doing a good job."

The post office is open from 8am-10pm daily and offers a range of goods, including sandwiches and post cards, as well as providing the usual post office services. Shop assistant Mrs Paula Aldworth completes the four members of staff.

The certificate, part of the 1998 Best Post Office in the Community Competition, was awarded fort 'exemplary customer service'.

Mr Tratt added: "People see a post office as a miserable place where you go to collect your pension or pay your bills. We try to make it a friendly place to visit."

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