FOULRIDGE could be left without a Post Office in the New Year after the current subpostmistress announced her resignation.

Barbara Bradbury, 61, has run the Post Office in Parkinson Street for the past 12 years and feels the time has come to retire from the role.

No buyers have yet come forward for the current business and Post Office bosses are hoping a new subpostmaster will come forward to take on the job, possibly even with their own premises.

If no-one fills the vacancy, Foulridge residents will be forced to travel to Barnoldswick or Colne to access Post Office services.

Mrs Bradbury said: "I have really enjoyed the job and have got to know many people in the village.

"It's a really nice middle-of-the-road Post Office and it's interesting to work in a village because you get the social aspect.

"You get talking to a lot of the customers, especially some of the older ones with all the changes to pensions.

"I just feel that I'm drifting on. As you get older you get more tired and things change so there's a lot more thinking about the way things are done.

"I realised in autumn last year that the time had come to stand down because I couldn't do as much.

"A new person would get to know things the way they are now so wouldn't have to think about changes that have been made.

"I have given my notice but I would be prepared to stay on and hand over if someone came forward.

"If no-one wants to buy the business we would just have to close and we may settle and live here, because it's a lovely place and very quiet."

Post Office rural transfer advisor Andy Wright said: "I can assure our customers that we will explore every avenue to enable us to maintain or, if necessary, restore, counter services in the village."

Anyone interested in the vacancy can call 0845 016260.