A Mansfield postmaster has received a long-service award from the Post Office.

Kalvinder Sohal, better known to customers as Kal, has been at the heart of the Bull Farm community since taking on Bull Farm Post Office with his wife, Manjit, when it was just a small, standalone branch 30 years ago.

Then they invested heavily into the business by adding a large extension to the premises on empty adjoining land.

Their shop is now five times its original size and there is a modern Nisa convenience store alongside a Post Office.

The couple also added three further shops for two takeaways and a barbers that are rented out, helping to generate jobs for local people.

They have fond memories of serving the community for three decades, saying they have got to know their customers well — and people who came in as children when they started out now call in with children of their own. A baby was even born in the shop and is still a customer today.

Kal said: “We are at the hub of this Bull Farm community with the Post Office and convenience store, and nearby shops, which have created many job opportunities for local people. We are a main Post Office, which offers a wide range of Post Office services. The branch is open daily, from early until late, and we have lots of parking in the area, which makes it very easy for people to pop in.

“We’re not in the town centre and we’re open longer hours than banks. This makes is easier for individuals to do their personal and business banking on behalf of all the major High Street banks as well as bring their parcels to post, home shopping returns, and to collect parcels from here without having to pay for parking.

“People can also buy Evri services here in addition to traditional Royal Mail and Parcelforce services, giving them greater choice.”

Kal was visited by Post Office regional manager Tony Sanghera, and Post Office area regional manager Gideon Hancock to present the long-service award.

Gideon said: “I want to sincerely thank Kal for being the postmaster for Bull Farm for 30 years and for being a first-class postmaster.

“Kal and Manjit have done a great job building their business, which has proved a real boost for the community.”