A POST box in a town's main shopping street has been taken out of use following nuisance arson attacks.

Although none of the incidents caused much damage, other than to some of the mail, it has led to the box being sealed off at the post office in Newbottle Street, Houghton-le-Spring, on Wearside.

Only the external, on-street facility has been closed, but the internal box remains available for posting during Post Office opening hours.

Frank Hemming, location hub manager for the DH postal area, said the decision was taken following advice from the police, fire brigade and Post Office Counters, on safety grounds.

"There have been fires three times in as many weeks, and we have been lucky that it hasn't really taken hold on any occasion," said Mr Hemming.

"It's resulted in some of the post in the box being burned to a cinder but, as all the incidents have been late at night, there has not been much post sitting in the box at the time.

"The sub-postmaster is concerned that one of these fires could spread to the rest of the building, so the decision was taken for safety reasons.

"We would be looking to put another box in Newbottle Street, in due course, but it takes time to achieve planning permission and find a suitable spot in agreement with the utility companies, such as the electricity board."

In the intervening period, outside Post Office opening hours, the public are asked to use the business box on the Rainton Bridge Industrial Estate, while the nearest Sunday collection box is in Hetton Road, Houghton-le-Spring.