THEY SHALL NOT PASS: Emmerdale's Viv Windsor, alias actress Deena Payne, re enacts her Emmerdale protest in a recent episode with the help of Bubwith post office owners Pauline and Brian Windsor Picture: Garry Atkinson

Fresh from stopping buses in Emmerdale, Viv Windsor has now thrown her weight behind the Evening Press Counter Attack campaign.

Speaking from the launch of a new rural bus service at Bubwith, near Selby, actress Deena Payne spoke out about the demise of sub-post offices.

She plans to display an Evening Press Counter Attack poster in the post office and shop she runs in the TV soap opera.

"These post offices are the hub of the community," said Deena. "People rely on these places, and it is such a shame to see them close.

"They are an essential part of village life."

Deena, or Viv, was in town to cut the ribbon at the launch of the new White Rose Rambler country bus service, run by Thornes with the support of the Countryside Agency.

In the TV programme, Viv attempts to halt a village bus service taking trade away from her post office and shop.

But there is no danger that she will try to halt this essential bus service, as it has the full support of the local community - including real-life Bubwith postmasters Brian and Pauline Windsor.

The two new buses launched at the Oaks Golf Club will serve 18 communities of less than 10,000.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.