RESIDENTS campaigning to keep their post office open have called on industry chiefs to think again.

The current office, in Main Street, High Bentham, was set to close on March 31, and Post Office Counters bosses want to transfer it to other premises, probably shared with another business. The date has just been put back to the end of September after the current postmaster agreed to stay on until then.

But campaigners insist Bentham needs to retain a full post office service as it is 'absolutely vital' to the community. And they say the possible consequent loss of shoppers' footfall could have a serious effect on other shops and stores in the town.

One of the campaigners, Shirley Brown, said: "Neighbouring villages in this rural part of North Yorkshire have already lost their post offices. Many people travel into Bentham to use ours, and now it seems we are about to lose it.

"We feel strongly that in small rural communities when this vital part of our infrastructure is removed it has a devastating effect on the life of the village, or in our case, market town. The vitality of the High Street is threatened and thus the life of our community is under threat.

"The template used by Post Office Counters Ltd might be appropriate for urban settings, where they expect everyone to live within a mile of a post office, but in rural areas when one post office closes the nearest alternative service may well be 20 miles away - with no bus service to get you there.

"Their apparent business model seems to be 'one size fits all.' We say that it's not appropriate for a rural community like Bentham."

Campaigners also say Bentham is set to expand under the mooted Local Plan for Craven, and that there are already a number of large and medium-sized businesses in the town which require a full postal service. They point out that the current post office is also used by the people of Ingleton since their post office, in Ingleton Community Centre, became part-time.

Townsfolk will have a chance to have their say at a meeting at Bentham Town Hall on March 6.

If the Bentham post office closes, then the new business would be a Outreach Post Office, possibly with reduced hours.

Representatives of Bentham Town Council, along with Craven district councillor Linda Brockbank and Marion Tweed-Rycroft of North Yorkshire County Council's 'Stronger Communities (Craven), have recently met Post Office officials to discuss the matter.

The Post Office is currently looking for someone interested in taking on the role of postmaster or postmistress for a new business.

A Post Office spokesperson said: "We are aware that the postmaster at Bentham has expressed an interest in leaving our network. We would like to reassure customers that the Post Office is committed to maintaining a Post Office service in Bentham and will work hard to ensure this.

"We are grateful that the existing agent at Bentham Post Office has indicated that they are prepared to continue providing Post Office services until September 2017. This move will allow us to continue to work towards a solution for the area. Local retailers interested in this business opportunity should contact us on 0845 266 8790 or email NTquestions@postoffice.co.uk”