TWO post offices in Ryedale have closed their doors for the final time.
Last week, the Government pushed through the closure of 2,500 post office branches nationwide, defeating by just 20 votes a bid by the Conservatives to block the move.
In Ryedale, 12 post offices will close over the course of the next few months, although outlets have not yet received notice of their demise.
Yesterday the Great Habton branch served its last customer - the first to close following a government consultation on the cutbacks.
Today Patricia Hands, postmistress of the Church Street outlet in Norton, closed for the final time, with customers having to use post offices in Malton or Beverly Road.
Post Office officials have vowed to replace village branches with mobile "outreach" services.
Adrian Wales, network development manager for the Post Office, said the decisions had been "difficult", saying it was a policy that had not been adopted lightly.
He added that the outreach arrangements could include a mobile service visiting villages for several hours a week, or a home delivery service.
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