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A long-standing Shoreham postmaster and his wife have retired after running their shop for 26 years.

Ashok and Shobha Sthankiya were applauded by grateful customers at Southlands Post Office, in Upper Shoreham Road, on Saturday and presented with a bouquet of flowers by Penny Joseph, church warden at St Giles’ Church, on behalf of the community.

Ashok, known as Ash, was following in the footsteps of his brother, Anant Sthankiya, as he was postmaster at the Mansell Road post office in Shoreham for 31 years before he passed away last year.

Ash said: “It has been hard work but it has been an absolutely enjoyable job. In 26 years, I can count on my two hands how many bad customers we have had.

Penny Joseph from St Giles' Church presenting flowers to Ashok and Shobha Sthankiya at Southlands Post Office. Picture: Steve Robards SR2101231

“We know all the regulars. Everyone has been so helpful as well.”

When Ash and Shobha suffered with Covid-19 in November, the regulars rallied round to help.

Ash explained: “We were so poorly we had to shut the shop. People were so worried. The customers found our telephone number and did our shopping for us. It was absolutely amazing.”

Ash and Shobha opened the shop and post office on January 19, 1995, and it was their first business.

Customers applaud long-standing postmaster Ashok Sthankiya and his wife Shobha at Southlands Post Office. Picture: Steve Robards SR2101231

They came from Leicester

Long-standing Shoreham postmaster and wife applauded as they retire after 26 years