Closure go ahead for post office

A petition was set up to try and save the branch

The final decision to close a North Yorkshire post office has been made following public consultation.

The branch in Aspin Lane, Knaresborough will close by autumn despite a petition signed by thousands to try to save it.

Aspin Lane replaced the Cold Bath Road branch in Harrogate which was originally earmarked for closure but later given a reprieve.

Post Office bosses said they would be looking into providing an outreach service in the area.

Councillor Richard Hall led the campaign to try and save the Knaresborough branch.

"This is a decision which hasn't recognised the needs of the people in Knaresborough. It hasn't recognised the tremendous effort that the Knaresborough community, young and old, put in to try and save this post office," he said.

Adrian Wales, the Post Office development manager, said: "The decision to close Aspin Lane branch has not been taken lightly.

"We have considered very carefully all the comments made during the public consultation but we consider that once the branch closes, customers in the area will still have good services."