VILLAGERS are still hoping that their post office can be saved - despite being told it will close later this month.

Post Office Limited issued a statement saying that Close House Post Office will close on February 21, following the resignation of the sub-postmaster.

But is hoped that the closure will only be temporary and a fresh appeal is made for someone to run the service.

In the meantime, villagers are being advised to use post offices in Eldon, Shildon and South Church until a replacement manager can be found.

Rural transfer advisor Bill Earnshaw said: "We apologise for the inconvenience this temporary closure will undoubtedly cause but I can assure our customers that we will be doing all we can to restore services as soon as possible."

The chairwoman of Dene Valley Parish Council, Dorothy Burn, said she hoped that someone would come forward to take on the post office.

She said: "If the post office closes, all we will have left in Close House is the Working Men's Club. It is not only well used by the people in the village but also by those living in Eldon, Auckland Park and surrounding villages.

"I still hope that someone can be found to run it."

Anyone who is interested in running the post office can contact Post Office Ltd's recruitment section on 0845 6016260.