A bid to reopen post offices in Essex is still tied up with red tape.

About 20 post offices, which were shut as part of the national review, could be reopened with funding from Essex County Council.

Discussions began in February and it was hoped they would be resolved within two months.

However, legal complications have delayed matters, and now no date is being given.

Essex County Council confirmed the authority was still committed to the project.

A spokesman said: "We have not lost momentum and we are entirely determined to reopen the post offices.

"There is an awful lot of negotiations going on between our lawyers and other people."