Burntisland has been left without its post office after the local branch closed suddenly in mysterious circumstances.
The post office shut on July 14 when a notice on the door said it was undergoing a “routine audit”.
The shutters have remained down and Post Office field officers are now seeking a retailer to take over the service.
Several local people worked in the post office and shop in the High Street, which was taken over by new owners a year or so ago.
The branch, which was previously the subject of a complaint about irregular opening hours, was well used by elderly people picking up pensions.
Customers face travelling to Kirkcaldy to collect parcels and people have reported long queues at the nearest alternative branch in Kinghorn as a result of the closure.
Burntisland Community Council chairman Alex MacDonald said the loss of the service was causing significant difficulties.
He said: “This is the only post office in Burntisland. It is predictability as much as anything you need to know if the post office is there.
“There have certainly been problems since May. I wrote to the Post Office several months ago to express concern that opening hours were not reliable and I got a reply stating they had reminded the local management of their obligations.
“It’s a shop as well and as far as I’m aware it was a very successful business until it changed hands. It is a bit of a mystery.”
Burntisland, Kinghorn and Western Kirkcaldy councillor Susan Leslie contacted the Post Office seeking action and was told there had been interest among local retailers during what were early stages of an application and appointment process.
Mrs Leslie said: “People are having to go to Kinghorn post office to get pensions or for routine post office business and if they are not in when parcels are being delivered they are having to collect them in Kirkcaldy.
“For those without cars that’s a significant issue.
“The Post Office is aware there are significant difficulties.
“Things are happening and hopefully we will get a solution soon.”
A Post Office spokesman told The Courier: “We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused by the temporary closure of the Burntisland post office on July 15.
“This is due to operational reasons.
“We would like to reassure customers that we are working hard to restore the service to the community as soon as possible and are committed to maintaining services in the area.”