A COUPLE are putting their village post office on the market after being behind the counter for 32 years.

Councillor John Severs and his wife, Elizabeth, are retiring from West End post office and stores in Ampleforth.

Mrs Severs said: "It is a focal point of the community. We know all our customers to the point where if an older regular doesn't come in at her normal time, we start making inquiries because we know something must be up.

"If you give a lot to the village, the village will give a lot back to you."

The couple are pastoral assistants at St Hilda's Church, where Coun Severs has also been a church warden for several years.

Coun Severs is chairman of the parish council and Mrs Severs is clerk.

Mrs Severs said they were looking forward to their retirement and hoped to stay in the village.

"We have always tried to choose quality of life and that is what we have had in Ampleforth," she said.