A RURAL village is to lose its post office and shop. The new owners of Aysgarth Post Office and The Original Wensleydale Cheese and Wine Shop have decided not to continue running the business they have owned for less than a fortnight.

Post Office bosses said they were searching for someone to become sub-postmaster, but said the village would be without a branch for the foreseeable future when the office shuts on Tuesday, August 3.

A Post Office spokesman said: "Aysgarth Post Office will have to close following the resignation of the sub-postmaster and the premises being no longer available to us for use as a post office.

"However, we are committed to retaining post office services in Aysgarth and we have already started looking for somebody willing to take on the role."

The property which includes the post office, combined shop and accommodation, was put up for sale in December last year for £155,000.

Estate agent Hoppers confirmed the sale took place.

Aysgarth district councillor Yvonne Peacock said the closure was disappointing.

Residents are also disappointed that the property could be converted into a house, meaning any new post office would have to be set up in other premises.

Coun Peacock said: "It is very difficult to keep smaller post offices in rural areas, this is a big concern for us.

"A post office is a vital service, especially for the elderly, who maybe do not get out of their homes that often and do not have transport.

"It is very disappointing that nobody else has yet been found to take it on."

Former owner Elaine Fulton ran the shop and post office for the past 20 years with her partner Matthew Paul.

She said: "They are looking for someone else to run a post office in Aysgarth. Whether they find anyone or not is another matter.

"It is very hard to make money and you have got to put in a lot of hours."

The couple plan to move to Leyburn. The new owners of the property declined to comment.