Postmistress at tiny post office retires

Jane Tudor has run Bobbington Post Office, Staffordshire since 1977

A woman who has run one of the UK's smallest Post Office branches from her home is retiring after 47 years service.

Jane Tudor has been postmistress in the village of Bobbington, Staffordshire, since 1977, and her retirement means the end of the branch.

The post office measures 1m x 1m (39ins x 39ins), with customers served via a hatch under Ms Tudor's covered veranda.

"I have had my lovely, loyal, band of customers over the years that I’ve got to know really well – they’ve become friends," she said.

Nick Priestley from Post Office has thanked Jane Tudor for her service to the village

When a new customer occasionally turned up, they would look "very bemused," she said, but then "smile and be surprised" by the miniature branch they had found.

"You have to see this place to believe it. It’s definitely one of the smallest Post Offices in the UK, maybe even the smallest,” said the 77-year-old.

Ms Tudor and her late husband Burt originally started out in 1977 with a garage, a small shop and the post office.

'Remarkable achievement'

The other businesses were wound down over time, and the post office was run part-time allowing her to care for her husband, who had become disabled.

Following his death three years ago, Ms Tudor said she carried on with the bungalow-based branch as she loved seeing people, but now needed to think of her own health.

"My kind customers all understand that it is now time for me to retire and wished me well," she said.

Nik Priestley, from Post Office, said her 47 years of service was a remarkable achievement.

"I know the village really appreciated what she has done. Her post office might have been small but it met the needs of this rural village," he said.