Barry and Mary Ford are to become the 17th operator of the Sanquhar’s branch
The world’s oldest Post Office has been saved by a long-lost descendant who was living in Florida when she heard it was up for sale.
Barry and Mary Ford are to take over the branch in Sanquhar, in Dumfries and Galloway, following a years-long search for a new postmaster.
The Post Office has been in continuous operation since 1712, with the Fords becoming only its 17th operator in its 311-year history.
The branch, a local tourist attraction, had faced an uncertain future after the previous postmaster, the postal historian Dr Manzoor Alam, announced his intention to retire in 2019.