Abermule was one of eight Post Offices facing the axe in Montgomeryshire when Post Office Ltd announced they were chopping 2,500 services across the UK, and after much consultation it was originally decided to provide outreach services to the community.

However, although the final details have yet to be confirmed, Post Office Ltd have now established a partnership arrangement in the village of Abermule. It is expected that the Post Office will be open for six hours a day, six days a week.

MP Lembit Opik said: "This is one of my greatest achievements as an MP.
"It has been one of the hardest campaigns of my political career, but from the outset I said never give up. I always felt in my heart that with the right spirit and determination we could save Abermule Post Office, and it's proved to be right.

"Steve Gerety, of Post Office Ltd, has proved that he really did listen about the need for Abermule, and following negotiations, which have taken scores of hours, we have reached an agreement that suits Post Office Ltd, Abermule Post Office and the community.

"I am proud of what we have achieved and it has been my honour to play a part in a fantastic victory for all sides."

Pauline Albrecht, sub-postmaster at Abermule, said: "Lembit has been like a dog with a bone, the tiger of Abermule! He quite simply has never given up on saving Abermule Post Office.

"Thanks to Lembit and the people of Abermule, Llanmerewig and Llandyssil we have now been saved. It is absolutely fantastic news, which means the shop will also remain open. By saving the Post Office we have also saved the shop!

Lembit added: "I must also put on record my gratitude to the County Times for their support shown towards the cause. We have made headlines together by keeping cool heads and a hot campaign in the press."

A spokesperson for Post Office Ltd said: "Throughout the network change process Post Office Ltd has worked hard to give consideration to the needs of our customers and their communities. We continue to seek ways of making the network more effective and viable, while bringing costs within the limits set by Government.

"I can confirm that detailed discussions have taken place between Post Office Ltd, and a number of local parties with regard to establishing a partnership arrangement in the village of Abermule.

"It would be premature to confirm that the commercial arrangements have been concluded and a formal agreement has been signed between the two prime parties. However, we are hopeful that this can be concluded in the near future.

"Where we are able to develop or amend our proposals anywhere in Wales we will only make the announcement when the conditions are such that we can be certain that they can be implemented."

Glyn Davies, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Montgomeryshire, has also welcomed the agreement this week to establish a "Partnership" Post Office in Abermule.

"I remain disappointed that Post Office Ltd ignored our requests to retain an independent Post Office in Abermule. However, I am pleased that a thriving village such as Abermule is to be served by a "Partnership" Post Office rather than a mobile van," he said.

"In the circumstances this seems to be the best option available. I hope everyone will now continue to use the services in Abermule which have been so well delivered for so long."