TWO village groups have come to the possible rescue of a rural post office.

Sadberge Parish Council and Sadberge Village Hall Association Management Committee hope to put a post office counter in the village hall.

The post office in Sadberge, near Darlington, has been closed after the retirement of the two post-masters, who ran the office from their home.

The village hall committee has agreed to the principle of opening a counter in one of the village hall rooms.

The committee expected it would cost between 5,000 and 10,000 to set up the counter. A resident has also said she would take on the role of sub-postmistress.

The parish council has supported the efforts to establish a post office counter and has suggested money given by the developers of the old school site to the village could be used.

The parish council clerk will also arrange a meeting with interested parties, including the Post Office, to discuss the future options.