South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has welcomed the news that the future of Sanquhar Post Office has been secured.

The branch is the longest running working Post office in the world and has been taken over following the retirement of the current postmistress.

Colin Smyth said: “The news that this historic Post Office branch’s future has been secured is brilliant for Sanquhar and the surrounding area.

“A Post Office is a hugely important part of any community and the long history of the one in Sanquhar makes it even more special.

“I’d like to pay tribute to retiring postmistress Nazra Alam and also her late husband, postal historian Dr Manzoor Alam, who ran the branch since 2015.

“In the past years we’ve seen Post Office closures, reduced hours and temporary services affecting communities across the region and it’s a relief to finally have some good news.

“People need Post Offices in their local communities but more and more we’re seeing them disappearing.”