A REFURBISHED post office is now open for an extra 65 hours a week.

The post office, part of the Welcome convenience store in Main Road, Marchwood, has been upgraded as part of a major modernisation scheme.

Long-serving postmaster Richard Dance has made major improvements to the store at the same time.

Julian Lewis, Tory MP for New Forest East, opened the new-look post office. At the same ceremony a £700 cheque was presented to a Marchwood Scout troop that is raising funds for a new headquarters.

The post office is now open on Saturday afternoons and all-day Sunday.