Jan and Geoff Curtis, who run the popular Bancyfelin Post Office and Stores, have been awarded a prestigious National Diploma in Professional Shopkeeping. The award is being presented to them by international rugby star and British Lion, Mike Phillips, who grew up in Bancyfelin. He is presenting the award on behalf of Evergreen magazine which manages the award scheme.

"This wonderful diploma has come out of the blue from Evergreen magazine and Jan and I are absolutely thrilled to receive it," said Geoff Curtis. "We love living in Bancyfelin and we feel very honoured that our service to the community has been recognised in this way."

On presenting the award, Mike Phillips said: "When I lived in Bancyfelin, I remember going to the Post Office for sweets - and that was always a pleasure! Nothing much changes and children in the village and their families still enjoy a visit to the post office and stores. Jan and Geoff serve their community in so many ways, through their business and their voluntary work. They richly deserve this Diploma in Professional Shopkeeping and on behalf of Evergreen magazine, I am delighted to present it to them."

Evergreen magazine introduced the Professional Shopkeeping award scheme to honour the people who go the extra mile to provide an outstanding service in their communities. These days, good service is most often the defining feature in assessing business achievement and the aim of this award is to honour and encourage what people once called 'service with a smile'.

Evergreen editor, Stephen Garnett, said: "With their hard work, professionalism and care for their customers and local community, Geoff and Jan Curtis, of Bancyfelin Stores, are exactly the sort of friendly, helpful, conscientious shopkeepers we had in mind when creating our award."

Jan and Geoff Curtis moved to Bancyfelin in 2003 with their daughter, Naomi, to take on the village stores and post office. Jan also provides a part-time post office service in nearby Llangain. Geoff is the treasurer of the Bancyfelin Community Association and a member of the Bancyfelin Village Hall committee and Jan is the immediate past treasurer of the Bancyfelin WI.