MOBILE post offices go on the road next week to keep services open in five County Durham communities.

Counters are being set up a few hours a week to replace existing offices in Escomb, Witton Park and Toronto and restore services to Fir Tree and Cornsay Colliery.

Post Office Ltd says the aim is to help safeguard the long-term future of service in the villages and has appointed Margaret McCombie, who is sub-postmaster at Tow Law, as manager.

Rural development manager Matt Silcock said: "We are fully committed to maintaining a presence in these villages and we believe the changes we are making are an effective solution to the long-term provision of our services."

From January 23 onwards, the mobile will visit Fir Tree on Mondays between 3pm and 4pm and Cornsay Colliery on Tuesdays between 1.45pm and 2.45pm.

After January 30 it will park in Escomb every Monday between 1.30pm and 2.30pm and every Wednesday between 11.15am and 12.15pm.

It will also visit Toronto on Mondays between 11.15am and 1.15pm, on Tuesdays between 9am and 11am, on Thursdays between 11.15am, and 1.15pm, and on Fridays between 9am and 11am.

From February 6, it will visit Witton Park on Mondays between 9am and 11am, Tuesdays from 11.15am to 1.15pm, Wednesdays from 9am to 11am and Thursdays from 9am to 11am.

The service will eventually extend to Witton-le-Wear, but this has been delayed by technical problems.