A RURAL village post office at Harman's Cross near Swanage faces an uncertain future.

Stuart White, who ran the post office as part of Foleys garage, retires on May 31 and a manager lined up to take on the role has been forced to cancel due to ill health.

Customers have been sent letters warning the post office may close, but Post Office leaders say they are committed to keeping it open and are searching for a new sub post master.

Local pensioner Colin James said: "There is virtually no bus service here for anyone who doesn't have a car.

"It is inconvenient having to go to Swanage or somewhere else - my wife doesn't drive and if I'm laid up at all it means we have difficulty getting our pensions."

Post Office spokesman Dan Panes said: "We understand it's concerning for customers when things like this happen - we will do our best to get it reopened quickly."

He also said: "This is a rural post office and we are legally obliged to try and find a new sub postmaster and we will do that.

"The government has admitted that in rural areas we are providing a social service - we lose £150 million a year keeping rural post offices afloat across the UK."

Five rural post offices have closed across 11 counties in the South West over the past year and government money is helping keep many loss-making outlets open.

Jo White, wife of Stuart White, said: "We are in discussions with the Post Office regarding a temporary replacement until a permanent solution can be found.

"Stuart will cease to be an employee on Tuesday, May 31, so the ball is in their court as to the future."

First published: May 26