VALE of York MP Anne McIntosh has thrown her support behind the plight of North Yorkshire villagers battling to save their post office.
Residents of Stillington, near Easingwold, have formed Stillington Community Association in a bid to buy the village post office and run it as a co-operative. They have secured bank funding and bought shares in the company, with a view to taking over the business by the end of the month.
Miss McIntosh has met with the association, contacted Department of Trade and Industry Minister Stephen Timms on their behalf and written to North Yorkshire County Council and Hambleton District Endorsement Panel for support.
Miss McIntosh said the residents' innovative scheme deserved to succeed.
She said: "Rural post offices provide a vital service for many communities, and it is always a great loss when they close. I am delighted to be able to help the residents of Stillington in their innovative plan to create the country's first community-owned post office, which would also serve as a newsagent and local shop."
Updated: 08:48 Tuesday, June 10, 2003
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article