By Craig Evry

THE CLOSURE of the post office in Codford after more than 40 years has left the village temporarily without post office services.

Plans to open a smaller branch within the New Road Service Station are not likely to be put into effect until late December.

Parish council chairman Romy Wyeth said the village needed the post office to relocate as soon as possible.

She said: "We obviously don't want to be without a post office for long and it is a matter of extreme importance."

Former postmaster Jim Attenburrow, who ran the post office with his partner Caroline Skyrme, decided to close the store after losing business in the wake of new Government legislation.

He said at the time that several villages would face losing their post offices unless rescue packages could be put in place.

Plans to alter the use of the post office shop from retail to residential were due to be discussed at last night's southern area committee meeting.

Planning officers in an initial report highlighted that the change in use of the premises should only be given permission as long as the post office is re-sited in another store.

It also includes a statement from Mr Attenburrow which objects to the condition, saying he cannot run the post office any longer.

He states: "We have worked hard to make it possible for the village garage to take over the post office trade when we close.

"From October 25 there will be no post office service in the village until the garage is ready to start trading.

"It therefore seems to us that granting permission for a change of use subject to the post office being in operation at another village location would not be appropriate as no post office would be in operation."

Despite the closure the Royal Mail has agreed to allow villagers to keep the 100-year-old King George V postbox.

The postbox will be moved to the village hall from its present position at the front of the shop.