ELDERLY villagers are still in the dark over the mysterious closure of their post office.
The St Peter's Street Post Office, in Stapenhill, has been closed since the beginning of December, leaving residents unable to collect their pensions or send and collect parcels locally.
Councillor Bernard Peters, who represents Brizlincote Valley on East Staffordshire Borough Council, said that something needed to be done to help those who relied on the service.
He said: "I have received a lot of complaints from people in the area who rely on the post office to collect their pensions. I have had roughly two to three phone calls a day.
Councillor Peters said he had been in contact with the company's bosses trying to find a solution to the problem, but was yet to have any luck.
However, Post Office bosses told the Mail it was 'working hard' to reopen the business.
At the moment residents have to travel to the Spar store, in Rosliston Road, or Asda, in Orchard Street, to draw their money.
Councillor Peters did not think it was feasible for them to travel that far and said that it was 'important' for the elderly to be able to go somewhere they were used to.
He said: "Some of the residents can't get to places such as Asda to use the service.
"They need to get someone else in, even if it is on a temporary basis.
"I would like to reassure everyone that I'm working hard to get the service back up and running."
It is not the first time the post office has closed.
The nearest Post Office to the St Peter's Street branch is on Rosliston Road
In October the building was closed for two weeks for a major refurbishment.
Residents got to use the new-look store for just over a month before it closed.
There is a sign on the front of the building saying that 'until further notice' the nearest Royal Mail local collection point is in Falcon Close, Burton.
A spokesman for the Post Office said: "We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused by the temporary closure of the St Peter's Street Post Office.
"We would like to reassure customers that we are working hard to restore the service to the community as soon as possible and are committed to maintaining services in the area.
"In the meantime, customers can access services at Burton or Winshill branches."
What residents are saying
Resident Valerie Rushton, of Holme Farm Avenue, said that the length of time the post office had been closed was 'not on'.
The 79-year-old said: "It has not been ideal, especially over Christmas. I have not been able to send my cards and parcels.
"I am lucky because I have transport, however, there are some in the area who will struggle to get to the nearest branch to draw their pension."
Resident Ann Cross, 75, of Woods Lane, said that she hoped that it would be open 'sooner rather than later'.
She said: "I know a lot of people who have been affected by the closure. I hope that it will open again."