VILLAGERS are calling a public meeting as they fight to save their post office.

The post office in Close House, near Bishop Auckland, will close next month if no-one is found to replace the postmaster who is retiring.

Councillor Dorothy Hope, from the village, said it was vital that something was done because the post office was one of the few facilities left.

She said: "If the post office closes all we will have left in Close House is the workingmen'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.

"The people who have it at the moment have tried to sell it, but because they cannot find a buyer they have decided to close and live on the premises.

"They have said if someone is willing to buy it they will stop on until someone can be trained to take over. If not, it will close on February 21."

Coun Hope is urging as many people as possible to go to a meeting tonight at the Dene Valley Centre, Gibson Street, Close House, at 6pm, to come up with ideas on how to keep the facility.

Coun Burn said: "The Post Office have been very good and they are willing to take on a person who would use their home or other premises in Close House which could be converted for use as a post office for an agreed number of hours."