The campaign is over and the villagers are victorious.

Merstham will finally be recognised in the official postal address after a year-long campaign by proud residents and councillors.

Royal Mail has confirmed that following a public ballot Merstham will be put back on the Post Office's map.

The campaign began last July after residents felt the village's identity should be recognised in the postal address as Merstham, Redhill, not just Redhill.

They were helped by Councillor Mark Brunt, who lives in London Road South, who believed Merstham was just as important as its neighbouring towns.

He said: "This was one of my pledges when I was elected and was one of the most supported things that people wanted me to do.

"It has been a long fight with the Royal Mail to recognise Merstham and I am delighted that we have succeeded."

Coun Brunt launched the campaign to try and convince Royal Mail to add Merstham to the address, stating at the time that it would re-establish people's pride in the area.

Graeme Crome, Bletchingley Road resident and chairman of New Merstham Residents' Association, said: "It is important to keep a strong sense of identity. Merstham has played a major part in the history of the area and this should never be forgotten."

Royal Mail agreed to conduct a survey to test the level of support for the inclusion of Merstham as a postal address.

More than 3,000 houses across Merstham were sent a postal reply card from Royal Mail outlining the proposal and asking residents if they objected to the idea. The closing date for comments was September 19.

Coun Brunt was informed of the outcome last week and it will be formally announced next Monday.

He added: "We are a community and have a distinct identity. The residents of Merstham are very proud of where they live and I am so pleased for them that the campaign has been successful."

Residents are likely to welcome the news after years of feeling as though Merstham has been forgotten.

Mr Crome added: "I cannot speak for every resident of Merstham but as someone who has lived here for over 30 years and has had family living here since the estate was built, I am very proud of the village and the people who live here."