TALKS are still ongoing over the future of a post office in Christchurch, months after the town centre service closed.

The Christchurch Post Office in Church Street shut earlier this year, when the director decided to liquidate the company as it was no longer deemed financially viable.

It later emerged the landlord had plans to turn the shop into flats and a small retail unit.

But despite talks with various different Christchurch shops about the possibility of moving the post office elsewhere, no decision has yet been made.

A Post Office spokesperson said: "We are working hard to try to restore a Post Office in this area of Christchurch. The vacancy is being advertised and our representative has visited shops in the town centre."

When asked which shops had been approached, the spokesperson added: "The area has been visited at different times by different people. We do not discuss who we have had formal or informal talks with."

Estate agent Ellis and Partners continue to market the store.

In May, director John Shannessy said no acceptable offers had been received from the Post Office.

It comes as there are fears over the future of the Post Office in Highcliffe, due to a potential development of flats and shops.

The proposal for Lymington Road means the current postmaster will not renew his lease.

However, Hoburne Ltd, whose sister company Burry and Knight have put forward the proposal, said they are keen to retain a post office as it is "vital to the High Street, especially with the loss of banks over recent years."

There are also fears Burton could lose its post office counter, although talks are ongoing to keep one in the village.

The nearest Post Office service to Christchurch town centre is the One Stop on Barrack Road or at Bure Stores in Mudeford.