A grandmother who has worked as a village postmistress for almost three decades is set to enjoy a well-earned retirement.

Long-serving Lynda Johnson has been at the helm of Wye Post Office since taking up the role in September 1998.

However, after 26 years in the role, the Maidstone resident now wants to spend more time with her grandchildren, care for her daughter's horse and look after her own home and garden.

She said: “Wye is a lovely village and there are such lovely people here that I have really enjoyed my time as postmistress.

“I’m past retirement age but I have continued to work part-time while providing a full-time service with the help of my great staff. It’s now time for me to retire.

“I’m really pleased there is a new owner as I know how important a Post Office is to this community and they are building more homes in the area.

“There are no banks in this area, so Wye Post Office is a very convenient place to do their banking, their home shopping returns, send their parcels and they can do their vehicle tax renewals here too.

“Wye Post Office stayed open throughout the pandemic and people were grateful that they could stay local for vital Post Office services and to buy cards, gifts, toys and stationery too.”

Ms Johnson originally worked part-time at Wye's now-closed Nationwide branch in the 1990s.

It was during this time she fell in love with the village and decided to apply for the position as postmistress when she heard the branch was up for sale.

The site, just off Bridge Street in The Green, remains Wye's only Post Office.

Area manager Adam Riggott said: “I want to sincerely thank Lynda for loyally serving this community for nearly 27 years.

"She really cares about the community that she serves and Wye is a well-run branch. I wish Lynda a well-earned retirement.”

The branch's new postmaster will be Mr Kanapathippillai Sritharan.