SKIPTON MP David Curry does not hold out much hope that Glusburn will get its sub post office back.

Mr Curry had answered a call from Jill Wright, chairman of the Glusburn Institute Management Committee, to look into the possibility of re-establishing a facility in the institute.

The management committee suggested sectioning off a room to replace the post office in Crofthead Terrace which closed several months ago.

However the Department for Trade and Industry (DTI) said it was not a viable proposition as there was a sub post office in Cross Hills less than a mile away.

Mrs Wright, however, did not accept this excuse. She said: "The rationale given is that the settlement would be adequately served without this post office and that there is another post office within a mile," Mrs Wright said.

"True, the Cross Hills post office is 711 metres away, but across a busy main road and considerably further than many potential users can walk."

She wrote to Mr Curry to see if he could intervene and invited him along to see the potential facility for himself.

But Mr Curry, although in agreement with Mrs Wright, said the situation was not looking hopeful.

"I have spoken to the DTI Minister Patricia Hewitt, but it is going to be a difficult battle and I don't hold out much hope for Glusburn," he explained.

Mr Curry said that had the proposed sub post office site been another few yards away, it would have been acceptable.

"Because of a matter of about 100 yards they are not prepared to consider it. There are post offices closing throughout the area because they cannot be sold as a going concern. Here we have a community that is prepared to establish a use for one and yet the DTI is being very unimaginative," said Mr Curry.