A 'first-class' postmistress is celebrating her latest award.

Hightown Post Office has been presented with a Congleton High Street Award in recognition of its contribution to the local community.

Town Mayor Robert Brittain visited the branch at 26 Biddulph Road to celebrate the achievement with postmistress Jane Bostock-Gibson.

 Jane, 58, said: "This award means a lot to me because as Hightown is a little outside the centre of Congleton on a parade of 12 shops - we can sometimes feel forgotten about.

"So, it's nice to be recognised as a business and as an important part of the community.

"Knowing that two of my customers nominated me for the award makes it feel extra special."

Jane took over Hightown Post Office nine years ago (Credit: Jane Bostock-Gibson)

Jane was born in Congleton and has lived here her whole life.

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Nine years ago she made a 'snap decision' to leave her family business behind and take over Hightown Post Office, which was first in established back in 1863.

She said: "My Dad was in the coach business and I'd worked alongside him all my life but then one day I saw the advert that Hightown Post Office was up for sale, and I thought, 'Why not?'

"When I first took Hightown on it was very run down and they were selling second hand clothes on the shelves, so I've built it up from nothing.

"Now we sell potatoes which we wash and bag here and meat and potato pies, all with meat from the local butcher. We do a roaring trade!

"I really can't imagine doing any other job now as the post office is such an important part of my life and it's so lovely to get that recognition."

Jane was presented with the award by Town Mayor Robert Brittain (Credit: Hightown Post Office)

Jane lives on a farm with her husband, so she sometimes has to pop out of the post office at short notice to help catch escaped farm animals.

And while she isn't a fan of the 4.30am wake ups, she says it is all worthwhile for her customers, many of whom she now calls friends.

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Post Office area manager Lizzie Freeman said: "Jane is a first-class postmistress who is very popular with her customers.

"I'd like to congratulate Jane on this well-deserved award."

This isn't the first accolade Jane has received since taking over Hightown Post Office.

In 2020 the branch won the Local Hero category at the Post Office's 'We're Stronger Together' regional awards for the North West and North Wales.

The awards recognised efforts made by postmasters across the region to keep branches open during Covid-19 pandemic.