PROPOSALS which could see a post office in a fish and chip shop are being discussed in a village which has just lost its "vital service".

The post office in Starcross closed on Wednesday after its owners deemed it was no longer a viable business. The building is for sale.

County councillor Alan Connett is working with residents and Starcross Parish Council to find an alternative as soon as possible.

He said: "I have spoken to Post Office business managers who tell me they want to keep an office in the village but need to find premises for it, perhaps in a local shop. There are some options being explored. I know the village wants to see a new office open as quickly as possible."

Post Office bosses say a new office in Starcross would "not offer the same range of services as the now-closed outlet".

The village is being offered a Post Office Local branch which means payment is made for each transaction instead of through the traditional sub-postmaster who received a salary for running the branch.

Cllr Connett said: "One of the lost services will be renewing car tax, because this can't be done at a Post Office Local branch. However, Post Office managers tell me that about 85 per cent of services will be available. At the moment, they will meet pretty much all of the set-up and fitting costs for a new service in the village.

"I understand the office could move to another local shop in Starcross, which has a Boots, a Spar, a fish and chip shop and two pubs. An alternative is for it to move to the Westbank League of Friends' charity shop on the main road in the village.

"However, without a fixed, regular income from the post office service, it may prove difficult for the Westbank to fund a full-time member of staff for a local post office. It could prove too demanding for volunteer support, which the shop currently relies on."

The nearest post office for residents of Starcross is in the neighbouring village of Kenton, with alternatives in Dawlish and Exminster.