A Shropshire post office that has been closed for exactly a month following the suspension of its sub-postmistress is unlikely to reopen before Christmas, Royal Mail chiefs admitted today.

The post office in Cleobury North closed its doors on November 15 after the sub-postmistress was suspended following an internal audit of the business.

Royal Mail today said it was still investigating the suspension and had been unable so far to find an interim replacement.

The organisation has still refused to name the sub-postmistress, but she has been named locally as Tina Doughty.

Tom Prendergast, Royal Mail external relations executive central and west, said: “We are looking for an interim sub-postmistress but obviously this is not a good time of the year to get one. We are still trying to find someone but it is now unlikely we will before Christmas.”

He added: “We would like to apologise to customers for any inconvenience. We are doing all we can to try to find a solution.

“In the meantime we would advise customers that alternative post office services are available at Ditton Priors, Bridgnorth and Ludlow.”

The closure has left many elderly residents with nowhere to pick up their pensions. District Councillor Robert Tindall said he hoped there would be some progress soon.