It is the second such shop to close – Danby's, which comprised a general store, newsagent's and post office and again was the only one in the village, closed last month.

The Egton shop had also been a post office but it closed two years ago, leaving only the general store and newsagent's.

The premises are now to let.

Proprietor Claire Godbold, formerly a school matron who took over the business 10 years ago, ran the shop with the help of her parents, Peter and Margaret Godbold.

She told the Gazette: "It was a sad day for me to have to close.

"I had wonderful, loyal customers who have been very good to me and I'm genuinely sorry for them.

"But Egton isn't like Grosmont and Goathland where there are still shops because they are stopping places for visitors but we're just a drive through place.

"And I couldn't compete with the big stores who now deliver all round here.

"It's quite ironic – I got Tesco, Co-op and Somerfield drivers coming into the shop to ask me for directions to the places where they were delivering their groceries and taking my business.

"We lost the post office side two years ago. Anyone who tries to run a similar business here would have the same problem I've had."

An Egton resident who does not want to be named said: "I'm desperately sorry that it's closed – it was a very important focal point for the village.

"But people are angry about it because of the way it was done.

"No-one knew anything about it until a notice appeared in the window saying that it was closing two days later."

The village had been without a shop for 10 years before Claire took it over.

Nigel Pulling, landlord of the village's Wheatsheaf Inn, said he is also sorry about the closure but he is helping out by offering some alternative service.

He said: "It's a great shame for the village but I'll help out with bread, Sunday newspapers, wine, beer and lager and people can collect them from me.

"If everyone who'll now have to get their Sunday papers from Grosmont goes through the road will be snarled up in the summer so I'll do it."

He will get regular orders for bread from Stonehouse Bakery with his own delivery and collect Sunday papers with his own order. He can also supply wine, beer and lager to take out.

The Wheatsheaf Inn will also be stocking your Whitby Gazette on Tuesday and Friday.