Villagers in Horspath have called for guarantees about the future of their post office.

The future of the Church Road Post Office has been a source of concern following the conviction of sub-postmaster Vipin Patel, pictured right, for fraud.

Horspath Parish Council chairman David Horsley has called for clarity on whether the post office, which is in the shop still run by Mr Patel, will remain open or not.

Mr Horsley said: “It is a very important facility for the village and as a parish council we are trying to find a solution.

“But any decision taken by Mr and Mrs Patel is entirely a matter between themselves.”

Mr Patel, 57, had run Horspath Post Office and Stores for five years when he admitted aiding and abetting fraud by abuse of position earlier this year.

He was given an 18-week suspended sentence in June and a two-month curfew and ordered to pay court costs.

Mr Patel yesterday confirmed he was still running the shop but declined to comment further.

A spokesman for Post Office Ltd said: “The Horspath Post Office branch continues to operate with a temporary subpostmaster in charge.”

l No solution has yet been found to reopen the Post Office in Underhill Circus, Barton, which closed on February 18 after the subpostmaster resigned. The closure left so many elderly residents facing a longer journey to collect their pensions that a bus service was organised.