Mitford residents were assured that Post Office officials were doing all they could to re-open their branch following the retirement of the sub-postmistress last October.

However, now villagers have learned that not only is the outlet on the national list of permanent closures, but the facility they have been using as a temporary measure in Church Walk, Morpeth, is also due to shut.

County and Borough councillor for the area David Towns said: "Since the temporary closure of our post office a lot of people who have cars have been going to St Mary's Field in Church Walk, which is also on the closure list.

"There is a lot of resentment that the one people have been using is also under threat. A lot of people don't want to go into Morpeth just to use the post office because of parking issues."

Coun Towns added that elderly people in particular have already been suffering since the closure of the village service. "A lot of people have concerns because there is quite a large number of older people living in the village and there is no regular bus service so they find it difficult to travel elsewhere," he said.