Hightown Post Office has won the Local Hero category at the Post Office's 'We're Stronger Together' regional awards for the North West and North Wales region.

The awards recognise the efforts made by postmasters across the region to keep branches open during the Covid-19 pandemic and serving their local community.

The award was presented virtually to Postmaster Jane Bostock-Gibson who runs Hightown Post Office, on Biddulph Road, last night (Wednesday) by Post Office Chief Executive Nick Read.

Postmasters who operate branches in the North West and North Wales region had the opportunity to share their experience of running their branch during the pandemic and hear directly about the Post Office's future growth strategy.

Post Office Area Manager Rachel Lawler, said: "The Hightown branch won in this category owing to Jane's prioritisation of the community above all else.

"Jane has gone above and beyond to give to her community assistance and support. She worked with the local town council to identify vulnerable people in the community, and made food deliveries with produce from local farm.

"She also delivered puzzles, gifts, cards and chocolates to members of the community, to lift their spirits during the pandemic.

"Jane started her working day at 7am to clean her Post Office, to make it safe for customers and staff.

"Everything Jane does is with her customers and community in mind: she really is a local hero."

Postmaster Jane Bostock-Gibson, said: "I am proud to serve Congleton during this time as my family always have.

"My great grandma and grandma did the same during the wars, and I have done my part keeping the Post Office open during this pandemic with my team."

Nick Read, Chief Executive at the Post Office, said: "I have heard many inspiring stories of postmasters going the extra mile and I have welcomed the opportunity to hear first-hand how postmasters in the North West and North Wales have fared during the pandemic including Hightown.

"All retailers have been affected and Post Office was no exception. The next few weeks and months will be a critical period as we try and return to a sense of normality.

"Post Office branches have a vital role to play in supporting their customers and communities, as well as helping small businesses and independent retailers get back on their feet."

Postmasters heard more about three areas of their business that could help them recover some of the lost trade as a result of the pandemic – Mails and Parcels, banking – cash withdrawals and deposits, and the return in demand for foreign exchange.

• Many people rely on easy access to cash. To spend that cash, businesses need to continue to accept it, and be able to conveniently deposit it into their business bank accounts. That 'cash cycle' will play a vital part in our economic recovery from Covid-19.

Post Office branches are often the last counter in town where businesses can deposit a day's takings. Business deposits are growing between 10 - 20% week on week

• For small businesses, being able to get goods out to customers is key. Post Office's 'Drop and Go' parcel service has seen a 70% increase in use month on month.

• Last month, Post Office reactivated its online foreign exchange service and its branch pre-order operation.

Customers planning trips abroad can order over 60 currencies online for next day home delivery or collection from all 11,500 Post Office branches.

The option to collect in-branch helps increase footfall at our branches and on the UK's High Streets.