THE search is on to find someone to fill the role of village postmaster after it was announced another rural post office faces the axe.From today elderly people in Toft Monks, near Beccles will be forced to travel miles to collect their pensions as the village post office closes.

THE search is on to find someone to fill the role of village postmaster after it was announced another rural post office faces the axe.

From today elderly people in Toft Monks, near Beccles will be forced to travel miles to collect their pensions as the village post office closes.

Postmaster Mark Allan would not reveal his age but said he had retired from his full-time job 15 years ago and has run the post office from his home on Yarmouth Road since then.

He and his wife Liz have sold their house the Beeches along with the integral shop and post office premises.

Contracts are still to be exchanged but the couple confirmed the buyer is not interested in taking on the role of postmaster along with the house.

"We are selling it freehold and the premises are part of that freehold property so it is up to the buyer what they do with them.

"A new postmaster would have to find their own premises as well.

"We took it on as a shop and post office in 1988 but have run it as just the post office over the past few years," said Mr Allan.

"We have been doing it for so long and we are just tired now. We are staying in the area but retiring properly."

Steve Rayner, Post Office rural transfer advisor, said potential applicants are expected to have premises for use as a post office.

He said: "We share the disappointment of our loyal customers in Toft Monks at the news of the closure.

"I can assure them, however, we are working very hard to restore convenient local access to our valued and trusted services as soon as possible.

"We have to be realistic, however. We can only achieve our aim if someone from within the local community comes forward to take up the role as sub-postmaster.

"Ideally we'd urgently like to hear from potential applicants – with suitable premises available – so we can get on in exploring the possibilities for reopening a branch in Toft Monks."

Nearest post offices are at 9 New Market, Beccles open: Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm and Saturday 9am to 12.30pm or The Street, Aldeby, open: weekdays except Wednesday 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5.30pm, Wednesday 9am to 1pm and Saturday 9am to 12.30pm.

nAnyone interested in the role for Toft Monks should write to Agency Recruitment, Human Resources, Freepost NWW 1675A Salford, Manchester M5 9JB. Or telephone 0845 601 6260.

nA post office near Lowestoft will be moving to a new location later this year. When the current sub-postmaster retires the current Oulton Broad branch, at 136 Bridge Road, will close for the final time at 5.30pm on Thursday, October 16.

It will be replaced with a new office, also in Bridge Road, at the Spar Convenience Store, opening from 9am-5.30pm Monday to Friday, and 9am-1pm on Saturday.