A former-sub-postmaster once supported by TV comic Vic Reeves has launched a bid to transform his now empty Post Office into part of a family home.

Jonathan Brenton has revealed plans to overhaul the Grade-II former Charing high street branch – once at the centre of a massive publicity campaign – into part of the adjoining house.

Mr Brenton opened the Post Office in 2011 but it shut under new ownership in December 2022 amid financial constraints and staff facing "excessive amount of abusive behaviour".

Now, more than two years on, Mr Brenton has put forward a proposal to Ashford Borough Council (ABC) to convert the whole property, which is currently split into residential and commercial, into a new family home.

In planning documents submitted with the application, the 43-year-old said: “The large number of conversions since the 1960s demonstrates the changing social use in the village.

“The proposed change of use of the commercial part would make the property a more balanced family home, while positively preserving the building and the character of the area.

“[It] would provide an extra reception room for the current dwelling.

“The appearance, shopfront, doorways, and internal layout would remain as they are currently, maintaining the historic integrity of the building.”

The property forms part of the Charing Conservation Area, designed to help protect the village’s rural character.

The original structure - which houses the retail space and most of the upstairs living accommodation - was constructed in the 15th century.

It stood as part of a medieval hall house, then later split into numbers 44-46-48 High Street.

To the rear is a two-storey extension, believed to date from the Georgian era.

On the ground floor is the rest of the retail space and on the first floor an additional bedroom.

Meanwhile, a single-storey extension, which houses the ground floor living accommodation comprising the lounge and kitchen, sits behind the original building.

Several updates to the property have also been carried out by Mr Brenton, including a loft conversion in 2012 and the ground floor extension two years later.

Prior to its permanent closure, the branch was temporarily shut in 2016 following a lengthy dispute between Mr Brenton and Post Office officials over contracts, pay and security at the store following an armed robbery four years earlier.

Protests were held in the village, in which Vic Reeves and his model wife Nancy Sorrell, who live in Charing, were among those waving placards supporting him.

In 2017, former parish councillor Sarah Crawley took over the site and said she was "committed to the village".

But she later posted a notice in the front window saying: "It is with deep sadness that the site will not reopen", just a fortnight before Christmas in 2022.

She wrote how the high street business had not been financially viable for some time and "the Royal Mail strikes had decimated income at the busiest time of year".

"Unfortunately, the last month has seen an excessive amount of abusive behaviour,” she added.

“When faced with constant threats and abuse I have made the difficult decision that I cannot continue.”

ABC planning chiefs are expected to make a decision on the proposals later this year.