THE fate of another rural post office in North Yorkshire is uncertain.

Osmotherley Parish Council is concerned for its post office, which serves not only the village but a surrounding area of three to four miles, which includes the hamlets of Thimbleby, Ellerbeck and Snilesworth.

Mr Chris Gaunt, who runs it and the Walking Shop, is resigning as sub-postmaster at the end of March, although he will continue to sell walking equipment.

The Post Office must now find alternative premises for the business, or villagers will be left with no choice but to travel four miles to Swainby or seven miles to Northallerton.

Coun Phil Shaw, chairman of the parish council said: "We are very concerned about the potential loss of this facility and we would want to do what we can to retain it.

"I have sounded out all the councillors and everyone is adamant we want to keep the post office."

The council would like to see it moved to another shop in the village. Osmotherley has two general stores, a cafe, fish shop and two antiques shops.

However, if this is not possible, members hope it will be retained in some other way, perhaps at the village hall or attached to one of Osmotherley's three pubs.

A spokesman for the Post Office said that, although Mr Gaunt had given notice, he was prepared to be flexible about the date he resigned. The Post Office was confident other premises would be found.

He added: "We are in confidential discussions at the moment with other parties and we are confident that alternative, suitable premises will be found fairly quickly.

"We are not expecting there to be any break in service in Osmotherley, which is good for customers and good for the Post Office."