A boarded-up former post office in Ryedale is to be given a new life as a Chinese takeaway.

The branch in Church Street, Norton, closed almost three years ago and has remained empty since, along with a string of other premises in the area where businesses have closed.

Planners at Ryedale District Council have now approved proposals to open a takeaway at the premises, which would open between 11am and 2pm and from 5pm until midnight.

The site was originally earmarked to become a restaurant following the loss of the post office amid a round of Government cuts in 2008, which left customers having to use branches in Malton or Beverley Road, Norton.

Although the restaurant proposals were given the go-ahead, they were subsequently dropped, paving the way for the takeaway application.

Norton East councillor Elizabeth Shields said: “I think it’s a good thing somebody is trying to set up another small business in Norton.

“As well as the post office, we have lost a number of shops in the town and the branch library is also now under threat, so anything which brings business into the town, gives somebody a living and provides something for the people of Norton is a good idea.”

The post office, which had been used by the Norton community for 75 years and also included a shop, was among 2,500 to be axed three years ago, despite £35,000 having been spent on providing improved facilities and giving it a facelift in 2000.

A statement submitted to the council on behalf of the applicants said: “They have run a Chinese takeaway in Malton for many years and we are not aware of any issues in respect of litter or traffic or pedestrian movement.”

It said the upper two floors of the building would be used as accommodation for the owners and staff.