The news that Otley’s main – and for the past few years only – Post Office is to receive a major revamp is welcome indeed.

Anyone who has had recent cause to use the Nelson Street branch during a busy period will know just how clogged up it can currently get, while the layout is certainly in need of refreshment.

So if the refurbishment that’s due to start next month results in a brighter, more spacious environment that can – through the publicised longer hours – also prevent long queues building up, it will be good news indeed for customers.

The only, but considerable, fly in the ointment is the two-week closure needed to allow the work to take place.

The Post Office is correct to say there are other facilities available not too far away in neighbouring towns, but the fact remains that leaving a community of Otley’s size without postal services for a fortnight is hard to justify.

Especially when mobility, both personal and in terms of transport, is an issue for many of the older residents.

So let’s hope the Post Office responds positively to the request by ward councillors and provides Otley with a temporary, stand-in facility to tide people over until they can enjoy their shiny new branch in all its glory.

Charlotte is a good choice to be the children's mayor

There can’t be many ten-year-olds who would have the confidence to stand up in front of a packed council chamber to present their own manifesto. But Yeadon schoolgirl Charlotte Williams did just that – and showed why she was such a good choice to become Children’s Mayor of Leeds.

Charlotte, a pupil at Rufford Park Primary School, explained her ideas on promoting cycling in the city to scores of councillors, and did herself proud in the process.

Not only did she impress the assembled gathering but she also got the Leeds City Councillors thinking about how to put her ideas into action.

Called ‘Life Cycle of Leeds’, Charlotte’s manifesto aims to promote cycling to children across the city, with improved access to places such as schools and leisure centres. The schoolgirl who was inspired by Paralympian cyclist Dame Sarah Storey, is now herself setting a sterling example to other young people.