AN EMERGENCY bus service is still transporting shoppers between two York villages, two weeks after a fire destroyed their only grocery shop.

The free bus service, set up by Costcutter in the aftermath of the devastating blaze at its store in Dunnington, is set to run until at least Sunday - at which time a temporary store and Post Office may have been set up in the village.

The Dunnington Costcutter store was completely destroyed in the fire, leaving those with no transport without access to a grocery store or Post Office, which was also contained within the store.

The bus will run up to three times a day from Dunnington to nearby Wilberfoss, where there is a Costcutter store and a Post Office.

Costcutter spokeswoman Angela Barber said: "The service is very important to both our customers and ourselves.

"Costcutter stores are an important part of the community - and we are very pleased with the response so far."

Discussions are continuing between Costcutter and Dunnington Parish Council in an effort to find a temporary home for the store.

Ideas have included taking over the village hall or providing supplies from a mobile trailer.

The fire started after a rubbish skip at the rear of the store caught fire, and is being treated as arson. The bus will run at 9.30am and 11.30am tomorrow, 9.30am, 11.30am and 1.30pm on Thursday, 9.30am and 11.30am, on Friday, and 10am on Saturday and Sunday.

Anyone with information about the fire should phone York CID on 01904 669353.

Updated: 10:19 Wednesday, July 30, 2003