Although the new Hawkinge Parish Council office was officially opened by Folkestone and Hythe MP, Damian Collins, when he cut the ribbon on Friday evening (19 November), it is not yet open to villagers.

Parish Council Clerk, Tina Wiles explained that it is not yet fully operational.

She said: "We are in the hands of third parties and do not have a start date for being open to the public as we are still awaiting the counter to be installed.

"The telephone line is going in on 29th November."

Together with Tina, the office will be manned by Peter Setterfield, Assistant to the Clerk, who will be answering general enquiries from the public.

Once the office is fully operational the opening hours to the public will be between Monday and Thursday from 09.30 to 12.30 plus Wednesday afternoon from 2pm to 3.30.

All other times by appointment.

MP Damian Collins cuts the ribbon with councillors and Parish Clerk, Tina Wiles

The office is situated in the Community Centre next to the Post Office.

The office will also be used by MP Damian Collins for his monthly surgeries on third Friday of the month between 6.45 and 7.45pm.

The Gazette will publish further details when we have them.