A POST office that survived last year’s national cuts faces closure while another has been saved by a community association.

Daphne Bowman, a greatgrandmother, came out of retirement to save Bowes Post Office and village shop, near Barnard Castle, but has now handed in her notice for the second time.

Meanwhile, a long-running campaign to reinstate the post office in Coundon, County Durham, will finally be achieved on Monday.

Mrs Bowman, 74, and her husband, Pete, 72, ran Bowes Post Office and shop for eight years before they retired in 2004. The couple stepped in again in February last year after the then sub postmaster left.

Mr and Mrs Bowman ran the post office, while selling fruit, vegetables and other produce as part of the village store. There was also a successful book lending scheme that has raised more than £500 for charity.

But Mrs Bowman said she has become disillusioned with working for the Post Office and will retire on December 23.

She said: “The Post Office has no heart now and I am not enjoying it like I used to.

“They are also expecting us to sell things like financial services, but these are things which nobody here in Bowes needs.”

A Post Office spokesman said: “Post Office Ltd is committed to maintaining a service in the area and will be looking at alternative options.”

Mrs Bowman is looking for someone to take on her lending library of more than 100 books. Anyone interested is asked to call 01833-628247.

Meanwhile, Coundon and Leeholme Community Partnership, which has been battling to reinstate the post office in the village since the original facility, in Collingwood Street, closed in February.

An alternative service, in nearby Leeholme, closed soon after, during national cuts.

The now-defunct Wear Valley District Council supported the partnership’s negotiations to run the service from its offices, and provided funding of £25,000.

Two staff members have been trained to operate the facility, which will be open for 19 hours a week from 9.30am on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Partnership manager Avril Hamilton said: “We hope the community will find the service convenient and support us.”