ANOTHER post office is to close in the wake of an armed raid last week.

Geoff Simpson was beaten and left bruised by two men who used a chainsaw to get into his premises in Helmsley, North Yorkshire.

A substantial amount of cash was taken in the robbery and, despite appeals for help tracing the masked men responsible, police have yet to confirm that there have been any arrests.

There was an attempted break-in at the post office in nearby Hovingham soon after.

The attempt was enough to prompt David Sell, a victim of a robbery at knifepoint almost three years ago, to confirm he will be quitting his job.

At the weekend, Helen Greening whose shop in Nawton was burgled last month also confirmed she had had enough.

"We've made the decision and I'm not prepared to carry on with the risk as it is,'' said Mrs Greening, a mother-of-two who runs the shop with her mother while her husband works elsewhere.

"We have been thinking about it and it has been fresh in our minds since we were burgled.

"If they had not been able to get in and out again, they would probably have no hesitation in coming up the stairs and getting me.

"We have two small children and we are not prepared to put them through anything like that.''

Mrs Greening said she was aware the village would be without a vital service if she closed, but she said: "People really are quite upset but, without exception, that have said they understand.''