TEMPORARY supermarket and post office facilities could be set up in a York village following a devastating fire that destroyed its main shop.

Dunnington Village Hall could be transformed into a temporary shop following Tuesday night's blaze at the Costcutter supermarket in Church Street.

Other ideas include running a bus service from the village to nearby post offices, or installing a mobile post office trailer in the village.

The building suffered 90 per cent fire damage in the blaze, which started after a rubbish skip at the rear of the store caught light. The cause of the blaze is unknown but is being treated as suspicious by police.

The shop, and Post Office counter inside, were completely destroyed. Costcutter spokeswoman Angela Barber said that meeting the needs of local residents was now the company's priority.

She said: "We are unable to trade from this site for the foreseeable future.

"We are currently seeking alternative temporary premises in order to set up a post office and convenience store to supply the local community.

"We are aware that a number of residents depend solely on this store.

"Therefore our priority is to commence business at our earliest opportunity."

She said that staff would continue to be paid and, where possible, employed at nearby Costcutter stores.

A Post Office spokeswoman said the fire would have no effect on customers' ability to withdraw money.

She said: "Customers can collect money immediately from neighbouring branches, which are Wheldrake, Wilberfoss, Stamford Bridge and Lendal in York.

"We would like to apologise to customers for the inconvenience caused and reassure them that we are committed to operating a post office in Dunnington."

The spokeswoman said the village hall had been offered as a possible location for a temporary satellite post office and store.

She said all the options were currently being looked at, but no decisions had yet been made.

Detective Sergeant John Roberts, of York CID, today renewed his appeal for witnesses to come forward.

He said: "The fire is still under investigation. We are just trying, together with the fire brigade, to establish the cause of the fire.

"A number of people have come forward, but there has been no significant information.

"We are keeping an open mind. There has been a wheelie bin fire there in the past and there is a possible connection, but it's too early to say."

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

Updated: 10:40 Thursday, July 17, 2003