A CASH machine removed less than a two years after a major campaign to install it is finally back open for business.

Residents in Cherry Tree, Blackburn, had to travel miles to withdraw money before the ATM was placed outside the Preston Old Road post office in December 2002.

But despite two years of calls for the service, it was scrapped when the post office was shut down in October.

So businessman Idris Ali, 33, decided to help those residents deprived of the convenience they had longed for.

Mr Ali, of Shear Brow, worked in the post office for more than 10 years and headed a campaign to save it when the closure was announced.

He said: "Our community needed a post office and we tried so hard to keep it open but, unfortunately, it fell on deaf ears. Then we found out the cash machine would also go and I just had to act."

Mr Idris took over the premises in mid-October to be used as a convenience store and immediately approached banks to get another cash machine installed.

Barry Brook, 49, licensee at the Beehive pub, also in Preston Old Road, praised Mr Ali for his hard work. He said: "My regulars were asking to borrow money all the time or having to get taxis to Mill Hill and Ewood just to have a night out."

The Lloyds TSB machine is now up and running displayed by a big new sign and can be used 24 hours a day.