RESIDENTS and businesses are celebrating the return of their local post box.

The box mysteriously vanished from its spot outside the old post office in Rayleigh Road, Thundersley ,in January.

It left Common Lane resident Carol Franklin and her neighbours, many of whom are disabled or elderly, with a half-mile uphill walk to the next box, at the top of Sandown Road.

But after the Echo highlighted the residents’ plight, Royal Mail officials have heeded their pleas and put a new post box on the corner of Rayleigh Road and Common Lane.

Mrs Franklin, 60, said: “It’s great finally to have the post box back. I have sent loads of letters already.”

Before the new box was put in, staff at Woodman’s newsagent offered to post letters for some residents.

But Mrs Franklin, who is disabled, says she is glad to be able to be able to post her own letters again. She added: “When we didn’t have it, it was a real struggle. It felt very isolating.

“I didn’t like having to rely on other people and one of my neighbours took a taxi to post a letter.”

Ron Steed, manager of Woodman’s Newsagents, is also glad to see the new post box.

He said: “My postage stamp sales dropped by 80 per cent and our card sales went down by about 50 per cent, so we’re pleased to have it back. I’ve been in the area since 1955 and there has always been a post box here.”

The old post office closed many years ago, but the post box remained in front of the building, in Rayleigh Road.

It is not clear why it was removed, but Mr Steed said: “The rumour is the old post office has been taken over by a plumbers’ merchant.

“Parking is at a premium and and the box may have been in the way.”

Royal Mail spokeswoman Sarah Womack said: “We are very pleased that we have been able to meet residents’ concerns about the removal of the post box, which was beyond our control.

“We have now replaced it and are delighted the situation has now been resolved.”