MP Conor McGinn has demanded a guarantee that a community's post office will not be lost permanently after it was torched.

A devastating blaze tore through the businesses at Wythburn Crescent, Carr Mill on Halloween night last autumn after an arson.

The Thrifty’s general store - and a post office branch that was within it - were destroyed along with a hairdressers and two takeaways.

St Helens North MP Mr McGinn said a clear plan is needed for their rebuild and that he is also pushing for the location of a mobile post office to support the many elderly residents living nearby.

In a statement, Mr McGinn said: "I am incredibly disappointed by the lack of progress at Wythburn Crescent shops in Moss Bank following the devastating fire in October.

"I am in contact with the site owners, Torus, who are still awaiting a decision from the insurers so that they can proceed with the demolition and rebuild.

"They assure me they are pushing them on an almost daily basis, and are also in talks with an architect about designs for the rebuild."

The MP added: "Of particular concern is the lack of response we have had from the Post Office. Hundreds of post offices are being closed across the country by design - to lose one by default would be devastating and is not something I and the local community are prepared to tolerate.

"I have demanded to meet the CEO of the Post Office to ask for a temporary service to be put in place and a guarantee about future provision.

"I realise how frustrating this is for Moss Bank residents - it is for me too - but I am continuing to work on this as a priority and together with local Labour councillors will keep the pressure on all those involved to get answers to our questions, and make the much-needed progress to return these essential local services.

When contacted by the Star, a Post Office spokesman said they are working hard to "restore services as soon as possible".

He said: “We would like to apologise for the inconvenience caused by the temporary closure of Clinkham Wood Post Office following a fire which damaged the property in October last year.

"The branch is run by an independent retailer and whilst we always work hard to maintain Post Office services, we are not the owner of the premises and regrettably, we are unable to re-open the branch at present.

“We understand how important a Post Office can be to a community and would like to reassure customers that we are working hard to restore services to them as soon as possible.”

“In the meantime, customers can access Post Office services from any convenient Post Office including our Chain Lane and Friar Street branches.”