A Backwell postmistress who continued to serve behind the counter while fighting a personal battle with cancer has received a customer hero award.

Carolyn Leach, aged 54, who runs Backwell Post Office with her husband Philip, was presented with the special Post Office Customer Hero award for the central and west region at a special ceremony this week.

The mother-of-two was diagnosed with breast cancer following a routine mammogram in October 2006 – just a week after her own father Tom had died of bowel cancer. She had a mastectomy and then underwent a gruelling six months of chemotherapy.

Despite all her treatment, Carolyn remained at work with Philip, only taking time off once a week for her chemotherapy sessions. The treatment worked and now Carolyn, who has run the post office with Philip for eight years, has check-ups every six months.

Philip put her forward for the award and customers had to vote for her, describing why she was worthy of the accolade.

Carolyn received nearly 300 votes from customers – the highest in the region.

Philip, aged 56, said: "Carolyn was a real inspiration to me and everyone else. The customers wrote some fantastic comments about how brave she was and how she remained at work although she was undergoing treatment for cancer. I am so proud of her."

The couple employ six staff at the post office and store, as well as a team of paperboys and girls.

Carolyn said: "I want to thank all the customers who voted for me as they were really supportive through my treatment and I received lots of cards and good wishes. I just wanted to keep positive and keep going while having my treatment, and work was one of the things which kept me going."

Customers at the post office said Carolyn was a worthy winner .

Rene Barrow, aged 86, from Backwell, who is a regular customer at the branch, said: "Carolyn is always so happy and helpful – she really is super.

"I think she is the one of the best postmistresses around and the customers could not ask for better."

Carolyn will now go to the national finals in London on May 21 at the Royal Opera House where she will join other finalists from across the UK. There are four finalists, including Carolyn, in the customer hero category.

Post Office business development manager for Taunton and Weston-super-Mare region, Kathy Sulley, who presented Carolyn with the award, said: "The award is recognition of Carolyn's work and dedication to her customers in Backwell."