Keith Bell, who ran the Bishopton Road Post Office in Stockton, said he had felt ashamed until the ITV drama ‘Mr Bates v The Post Office’ made him aware of the scandal.
His criminal conviction even led to the loss a subsequent job as a driving instructor.
He has now received a £600,000 payout.
Bell told the Northern Echo: “I got to the point when I had no money – there was nothing coming in. I tried to keep paying the mortgage but I had to declare myself bankrupt.
“I went from a way of life where I wasn’t rich but I was comfortable. That came to an end, you make do with what you can.
“It’s nice to be in the position that if we wanted to do something we can…
