TWO post offices in South Craven are at loggerheads after one manager sent out letters across the district in a bid to drum up business.

Sutton postmasters Chris and Vivien Hotte say they were "gobsmacked" when Cross Hills' postmistress Sharon Latta sent out letters detailing services offered at her Main Street business. The couple say it has affected their trade.

Mrs Hotte commented: "What has annoyed me most is that we are relatively new to the post office business."

Mr Hotte added: "Look at what this village has got, if this post office closed it would affect elderly people."

Mrs Latta said she had sent out the letters in a bid to keep her head above water in light of the Government's move to close 2,500 post offices across the country. But she has decided not to send out any further letters.

Mrs and Mrs Hotte complained to the National Federation of SubPostmasters.

Representative Peter Finlay, who met with Mrs Latte, told the Herald: "I have to say there is certain expectation for people to respect their colleagues. Hopefully this has been resolved."