A lifeline has been handed to an East Ayrshire post office branch that looked consigned to closure.

We reported earlier this week how Post Office bosses had announced the closure of Dalrymple's branch from Tuesday, April 23.

It was added that a review into the needs of customers had been carried out, and there were no plans to replace the outgoing postmasters.

Customers in Dalrymple will have to travel to Maybole or Alloway to get access to Post Office services.

However, an updated statement from the company on the Dalrymple closure says it is "working hard to keep any period of closure to a minimum".

The Dalrymple closure news came just a few days after the closure of the post office in nearby Coylton, which shut for the final time on April 11.

READ MORE: East Ayrshire Post Office to close this week following partner resignation

Constituency MSP Elena Whitham has said that Post Office has confirmed to her that a new operator is being sought to keep the services in the village.

The update from Post Office added: "We are currently investigating the options available which will enable us to reinstate a Post Office service to the local community.

"In exploring this, it is important that any future service is sustainable for the person operating the service, and for Post Office Limited.

"If you have any questions you would like to raise about this matter, please write to us via the National Consultation Team.

"Any future changes to service provision would be handled in line with our principles of community engagement.

"We will display posters in the branch to inform customers."