KEITH Chapman’s praise for his local postmaster, Paul Abbott, and his staff has prompted me to do likewise on behalf of the marvellous team we have in Escrick, Trevor and Pauline Davies, who run the Post Office and local store, and who are quite irreplaceable (Letters, December 21).

Pauline delivers papers at 6am most days, presumably because some of her small army of paper-people have preferred to remain curled up in a warm bed. She and Trevor start well before dawn every day, including weekends, and deal with papers etc, before the daily onslaught of villagers arrive. They have an enormous variety of all the staple foods, fresh bakery and dairy products, and fresh sandwiches.

Trevor manages the post office on his own.

It must be years and years since they took a holiday and what the village would do without them and their constant devoted and pleasant service, I shudder to think.

I also believe that they offer special services to elderly and frail villagers, and they are a mine of local information about the area. Well done, both of you, and long may you reign over our precious store.

Heather Causnett, Escrick Park Gardens, Escrick, York