Residents in a north Oxford village are delighted to be seeing red at last - their post box is back following an eight-month absence.

The post box at the Londis store in First Turn, Wolvercote, which is also a sub-post office, was removed last October during building work.

Residents have been forced to hand their mail over the counter or walk to the nearest post box once the store shuts at 7pm.

Dr Alison Redmayne, 69, of Blenheim Drive, said: "I am delighted that the post box has been returned and I would like to thank the Oxford Mail for highlighting this.

"I'm sorry it took so long - people in the area were being forced to drive to other post boxes nearby to catch the post.

"It sounds like a small thing, but this will make a huge difference to people living in the area."

Naresh Kotak, who runs the store, added: "It is such a relief that the post box is back because I no longer have to take mail over the counter. The post box is in a new position in front of the shop and I think it's in a very good position now."

Royal Mail spokesman Sue Dakin said: "The post box was removed while an extension was built on the existing Post Office. We had to wait until the extension was finished before applying to the utilities for searches to be done on underground services.

"We have to ensure that we don't dig into power lines and water mains when installing boxes, and applying for planning permission to install the box.

"Searches and planning permission by their nature can take a little time."