THE future of a ‘lifeline’ post office is in doubt after its postmaster resigned.

Consultation will now take place on whether to permanently close Ormsgill Post Office.

The Post Office will be seeking the views of the community after the branch, in Barrow’s Middlefield, closed until further notice.

Ormsgill Councillor Bill McEwan has written to the company to find a way forward.

He said: “We are leaving it with them.

“Nobody wants it to close. It’s the only post office within three miles.

"The nearest is in town.

“It’s been a great lifeline for people. Now we are really struggling.”

In a letter, Post Office change manager Amanda Coghlan said: “Regrettably, the postmaster has since resigned and withdrawn the premises for Post Office use, therefore the branch will remain temporarily closed until further notice. Please accept our apologies for the late notification.

“I would like to assure you that we are currently investigating the options available which will enable us to reinstate a Post Office service to the local community.

“In exploring this, it is important that any future service is sustainable for the person operating the service, and for Post Office Limited.

The post office services could be moved to another shop in a ‘more modern and convenient experience for customers’, the letter added.

The Post Office said it would always carry out a six-week public consultation before a decision to close a branch permanently.