Remote Dartmoor villages are enjoying a library service again thanks to a collaboration between Ashburton’s postmaster, Stuart Rogers, and the town’s library.

Many communities across Devon lost their access to library facilities early last year when Devon County Council shelved its four mobile libraries due to declining demand and budget cuts.

But after a successful trial of the service before Christmas, residents of six villages across Dartmoor can use a special travelling post office library card to reserve and collect books from Stuart’s travelling post office.

Anyone wanting to reserve a specific title can do so via the Libraries Unlimited website or by calling Ashburton Library.

Daf Edwards, who took part in the trial at the end of last year, welcomed the news. ‘The scheme really opens up the range of books I can read,’ he said. He also enjoys the social aspect. ‘Going to the post van on a Monday morning means I meet up with other locals I might not have seen for months... and meeting up with your neighbours on a regular basis is a very healthy thing for all concerned.’

‘I'm really grateful to Stuart and Libraries Unlimited for making this collaboration happen. I think we're very lucky in our part of Devon to have this opportunity,’ he added.

The travelling post office and library will serve Widecombe (9am-10:30am), Ilsington (11am-1pm), and Postbridge (2pm-3pm) on Mondays and Buckland Monochorum (9:30am-10:30am), Walkhampton (11am-12pm) and Drewsteignton (2pm-3pm), on Wednesdays.

Anyone wanting to use the mobile library service will need a travelling post office library card and PIN, which can be set up by Ashburton Library staff. This is separate to the Libraries Unlimited card.

In Teignbridge, nearly two thirds of residents do not have a library within a 15 minute walk, according to data from the Office of National Statistics.