IT will be the end of an era when a family-run post office in North Yorkshire closes its doors later this week.

Bill Spence helps his daughters in the shop, at Ampleforth College, while writing books under the pseudonym Jessica Blair.

However, the family have decided they have had enough and, while twin daughters Judith and Geraldine have plans of their own, 80-year-old Mr Spence hopes to have more time for his work as an author.

"When we decided we had to close it was rather sad because it was breaking family tradition," he said.

"However, with all the changes taking place in the Post Office and with banking systems, we are rather glad."

Mr Spence married into the post office business after meeting his wife, Joan, whose family had owned the shop since the 1920s.

Widowed in 1999, Mr Spence continued helping his daughters with the post office at peak periods.

However, Geraldine now plans to spend more time with her family in Bolton.

Judith hopes to work as her father's secretary, which Mr Spence hopes will give him even more time to write.

Meanwhile, talks are under way with staff at the abbey and the college to see if an alternative can be found for the service, although a post office is available in the village itself.