A VILLAGE post office and store will celebrate 175 years of continuous trading early next year.

Stoke Climsland Post Office has operated from the same building in the village since 1839 – but this fact only came to light when sub-postmistress Sue Watts happened to be looking through some old documents.

The post office will be 175 years old on January 26.

Sue, who runs the store with her husband David, said that the business is very well supported by the diverse local community and the couple are proud to be an example of a local business holding its own in a competitive marketplace.

'The building is believed to date back to the 14th century and provides a retail experience no longer available to many,' said Sue.

The parish of Stoke Climsland will celebrate the store's anniversary during 2014 with a number of events – including a traditional Cornish village fair. Sue said: 'The fair will bring together all the elements of the community who have supported the post office for the past 175 years and continue to make this a very special place to live.'