FEARS of losing another rural post office have been raised by the news that Powick Post Office and General Store is for sale.

The parish has already lost its Callow End Post Office, although the licensee of the Blue Bell, Bill Rice, hopes to open the facility at the pub.

"The impression I get is that the Post Office is not keen to keep any of these rural post offices going and that they are looking for excuses not to accommodate plans put forward by local people," said John Mason, at this week's meeting of Powick Parish Council.

Charles Ellis said many pubs were trying for Post Office status as a helping hand for their communities.

"But they are inundated with problems in getting that status and if they are within a certain radius of another, the Post Office isn't interested.

"Lots of community post offices have gone to the wall around the country."

But district councillor Tom Wells said plans were still going ahead for a post office at the Blue Bell.

A new contract had been drawn up between the brewery and the licensee to ensure the continuity of the venture and a meeting had been arranged with Malvern Hills District planning officers, to decided whether planning permission was required.

"Progress is slow and tortuous, but it is still going on," he said.

Council chairman Andy Lamb said parishioners were worried that Powick might lose its post office, but it was up for sale as a going concern.

"There is nothing we can do to influence how that sale proceeds," said Rod MacKichan.