VILLAGERS near York have been dealt a body blow after it was revealed another rural post office could be set to close.

The sub-postmaster at Elvington has resigned, placing the branch's future in jeopardy.

The Royal Mail has pledged to try to protect the service, but local residents and councillors fear they could lose a vital service.

David Ryan, the clerk of Elvington Parish Council, said: "It is obviously a concern. No village wants to lose a post office. We respect the decision of the people there - they have reached retirement age."

He said he expected a local consultation exercise to take place as mail bosses sought a replacement.

"All people can do is express their desire to keep it going," he said.

"But it will be difficult, because it seems as if the powers that be are not really supporting post offices."

It is the third post office closure announced in recent weeks, following the closure of a branch in Wistow and plans to shut another in Shipton-by-Beningbrough.

Bill Platt, 51, who shut up shop at Wistow last week, said his post office, which also sold groceries, was not "economically viable" because "people tend to do all their shopping at supermarkets".

The Shipton-by-Beningbrough post office is due to close in August due to the current sub-postmaster resigning.

Customers in Elvington will now have to travel to the post office in Sutton-on-Derwent, and a small post office and shop in nearby Melbourne.

Mr Ryan said: "There are so many things that are being hived off from post offices that post offices are fighting to make a living.

"There are always people in a village or local community who have not got cars.

"It's much easier if they can go to the local shop just round the corner for goods and also Post Office items. It's bound to impose difficulties if it closes, yes, but it seems to be market forces."

Marie Gray, press officer for Royal Mail, said: "The sub-postmaster of Elvington Post Office has resigned and Post Office Ltd will be working hard to find a replacement sub-postmaster and premises to take over the running of the service."

Outgoing sub-postmaster Nina Oldfield declined to comment at this stage.

Updated: 09:20 Thursday, May 25, 2006