CHILLATON'S only village shop will close at the end of March after a two-year struggle to survive without the post office.

Owners Steve and Linda Haigh said the closure of the post office by Post Office Ltd two years ago with the loss of the postmaster's salary was the significant factor in their decision.

Despite financial support and advice from Devon County Council, the couple said they were subsidising the business from their own resources and this could not continue indefinitely.

Mr Haigh said: 'The minute they took the post office away the end result was inevitable. There is just not enough trade to keep the shop going.

'Without the help from the county council, which has been superb, we would have closed two years ago but you cannot lose a five-figure salary and expect to make it up.'

Chillaton was one of a number of post offices in West Devon and East Cornwall axed by the Post Office Ltd in a radical shake-up of the network two years ago, despite a valiant fight to stop it by the community and Geoffrey Cox MP, who took to the streets to demonstrate.

Mr Haigh said an outreach service had been provided by the post office but it 'paid peanuts' and the services were limited.

Supermarket home deliveries had also had an effect on business: 'For many years our sales have been declining but this year we are in freefall and unfortunately have reached a level that is not sustainable.

'It is the changing nature of villages, I am afraid. As the older villagers, who have lived here all their lives and have some commitment to the village die, the people who replace them are largely transient.'

Mr and Mrs Haigh expressed thanks to all their customers. The couple started running the post office and shop eight years ago but prior to that there had been a post office in the village for decades and at one time two general stores and a butcher's.

Village resident Ted Clifford, 74, said: 'I am very, very sad the shop is closing, because we use it on a very regular basis.

'It stocks all the essentials and I am very concerned that the village will be without a means to get things like groceries, fresh bread and milk.'

Milton Abbot Grouped Parish Council, which covers Chillaton, said in a statement this week: 'It was with regret that we heard of the impending closure of Chillaton Village Shop and Post Office, which will be a great loss to the local community. 

'Parish councillors from Chillaton will be meeting with a representative from Post Office Ltd to discuss the possible options, and will also investigate other possible alternatives. 

'Milton Abbot Grouped Parish Council would support any community initiative to provide these services.'