IT'S THE end of an era for Margaret Stanbury from Inwardleigh who has been running the village post office from her sitting room for over 10 years.
Due to the alterations she would have to make to her house to operate the new post office automation system Mrs Stanbury has decided to give up the job she has enjoyed so much on March 26.
Post Office Counters are currently looking for a suitable premises and person to continue the service in the village.
'I shall miss it because I enjoyed people coming in for a chat but my sitting room is not really suitable for the automation,' said Mrs Stanbury.
'At the moment the room is a post office four mornings a week and my sitting room for the rest of the time but this would have to change if I carried on.'
Mrs Stanbury, 64, offered to run the service following the closure of the main post office in the village through retirement of the sub post-mistress.
'Rather than see the village without a post office I offered to take in it on,' she said. 'It's nice because when people come to get their pensions and stamps there are flowers on the table, an armchair to sit in and a cup of coffee if they want one — the place has a certain ambiance.
'I shall miss people coming in for a chat and hearing all the news.'
Richard Smith from Post Office Counters said limited services had been offered at Inwardleigh and there was more extensive services at Follygate and Hatherleigh.
'We are, however, actively seeking to find replacement at Inwardleigh,' he said.
Mr Smith said everybody had to join the automation system in order to sustain the rural post office network.
'In terms of securing new business every post office needs to be on the system,' he said.
If anyone is interested in running a post office at Inwardleigh they should call 0845 6016260.