ANOTHER village in the Vale of Evesham faces the loss of its post office unless new faces to run it can be found.

The sub-postmaster and mistress of Norton post office, near Evesham, are to retire at the end of the month.

Unless someone comes forward with suitable premises, villagers will have to travel to neighbouring Harvington or Evesham to use a post office.

Parish council chairman Mike James fears Norton could go the way of Fladbury and Charlton, which have both seen their post offices close. Cropthorne post office, near Pershore, is due to close at the end of September.

Mr James said the post office closure would also mean the loss of the village's only general stores.

"We're in a fairly desperate situation," admitted Mr James.

"The sub-postmaster and postmistress are going to retire, which no-one has any complaints about. I understand they put an extension on the time they agreed to run it.

"We're looking at the possibility of finding some premises, but this is early days and won't stop the post office closing at the end of the month.

"The problem is people don't generally make a lot of money from running post offices, but this would be an enormous loss to the community."

Post Office Network area manager Sue Foreman confirmed the Norton branch would shut tomorrow.

Arrangements were being made for customers to continue their business at neighbouring branches.

"We've been trying without success to find someone to take over the service for our customers in Norton," she said.

"The nearest offices are some two miles distant and we'd welcome any interest or help from someone with suitable premises who could continue the service in the area."

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