A SHIPTON Bellinger resident and a shop manager have spoken of their fears following the announcement of a mobile van service last week.

As previously reported in the Andover Advertiser the new proposal includes a mobile van service to visit the village.

Resident Josie Smith and Shipton Bellinger shop manager Kumar Asokan are both worried for the future of the post office.

Mrs Smith said: “One of the elderly residents phoned me up and he said, ‘I’m really, really cross because they haven’t even told Kumar about it.'

“They’ll keep the mobile van and get rid of the post office.

“I’m upset for him and the elderly people who have to travel all the way to Tidworth.”

Both Mrs Smith and Mr Asokan spoke of their worries for the elderly residents, especially in the winter time, who would have to travel to Tidworth if the post office were to close as a result of the van.

The 73-year-old added: “Their safety and health are being put at risk. They could slip and hurt themselves.”

They say their concern comes from when Shipton Bellinger had a mobile library service and that soon afterwards the village library closed.

Mrs Smith, who hopes to start a petition against the proposed service, said: “If the business goes there’s nothing there.

“We need a shop in Shipton.

“Everybody wanted to collect together and they used to chatter. People were more in contact with us and these things are being taken away.

“I think its taken something very precious away from us.”

Mr Kumar said that the village Post Office is open only three days a week - Monday, Tuesday and Friday 10am to 2pm.

The proposed mobile service would visit the car park of the village on a Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9am until 1pm.

The father-of-one, who manages a Londis shop that is open seven days a week, said: “The Post Office is a part of the community.”

A spokesperson for the Post Office said: “Under the proposal the community of Shipton Bellinger would benefit from the Post Office mobile van as Post Office services being available an extra day per week, which is four extra hours per week.”