Haworth’s post office is threatened with closure.

Villagers are calling for urgent action to save the branch in Main Street, which is set to shut due to the impending retirement of the sub-postmaster.

It is the only remaining post office in the village following the closure in August 2011 of the outlet at the Brow.

Villagers say they rely on the post office but the premises, which are close to the Visitor Information Centre, are also well used by many of the millions of tourists who flock to Bronte Country.

“Being left without a post office would be a grievous blow to the village,” said Councillor John Huxley, chairman of Haworth, Cross Roads and Stanbury Parish Council. “Of course the sub-postmaster has the right to retire – that’s not the issue – but time isn’t on our side.

“I’m expecting to have a meeting with a representative from the Post Office later this month to discuss the options.

“We want to retain these services in Haworth so people don’t have to go to Oxenhope or Cross Roads, which would not be good for pensioners or people lacking transport.”

Councillor Glen Miller (Worth Valley), the leader of the Conservative group on Bradford Council, said he and his fellow ward councillors had suggested postal services could be provided via the Visitor Information Centre but that Post Office bosses did not seem interested.

“It appears to us that minor technicalities are being allowed to stand in the way of the residents of Haworth having convenient access to the services provided by the Post Office,” said Coun Miller.

“My colleagues and I are informed that the opening hours of the visitor centre are not entirely compatible with those of standard Post Office criteria.

“So rather than making minor compromises, the Post Office may consider it more appropriate that the residents of Haworth have no locally provided service at all.”

Post Office Ltd said it was aware that the sub-postmaster had expressed an interest in leaving and had put the business on the market. It insisted was committed to maintaining a service in Haworth and would work hard to ensure it.

“If this involves a relocation of the post office it would be subject to a full public consultation,” said a spokesman.

“We are working hard to maintain services and will be meeting the local council soon to discuss a solution.”