THE unexpected closure of a town's main post office has left residents without a much needed facility.

People living in New Shildon were greeted with closed shutters and a notice to say the post office had been closed temporarily due to unforeseen circumstances.

The future of the facility is now uncertain as Post Office Counters Ltd searches for other premises.

A spokesperson for Post Office Counters Ltd apologised for any inconvenience caused and said: "The premises does not belong to us so we are therefore unable to maintain a post office service from this premises.

"We are currently looking for someone with alternative premises in the area to run a post office service and this might take some time."

The facility in New Shildon is the only one in the town where residents can renew their car tax or apply for passports.

Chairman of New Shildon Residents' Association David Snell said that its loss was a blow.

He said: "It has been a mainstay in the community and it was well used. The residents, particularly the elderly, relied on it for their pensions.

"The feeling is that it is yet another service being withdrawn from the New Shildon area."

County councillor for the area John Quigley said that he was concerned for elderly residents having to make the trek to the post office in Church Street in the town centre.

He said: "We can't do without it, to be honest, we have a lot of pensioners and to walk up to Church Street is going to be a bit of a problem.''

Bishop Auckland MP Derek Foster, who represents Shildon, also expressed concern and has already asked the Post Office to introduce a service at Church Street where residents can renew their car tax.

Post Office Counters have agreed and staff at Church Street are being trained for that service.

Meanwhile, anyone who has suitable premises in New Shildon for a post office should contact Post Office Counters Ltd on 08457 223344.