More than 50 post offices to shut

Full list: Hereford and Worcester Full list: West Midlands

A total of 54 post offices are to close across Herefordshire, Worcestershire and the West Midlands.

Post Office Ltd announced the decision following a six-week public consultation over the closures.

The Butts Post Office, in Walsall, which was originally earmarked for closure, will remain open.

But the Wilkin branch in Brownhills could face closure. A Post Office spokesman said the decisions were not taken lightly.

The proposal to close Tudorville Post Office, in Ross-on-Wye, is under further review with a decision due to be announced shortly.

The spokesman said: "We have considered very carefully all the comments made during the public consultation."

'Economic vandalism'

He added he believed the plan gave customers the best prospect for a sustainable network in the future.

However, Mid Worcestershire MP Peter Luff strongly criticised the plans.

He said: "This is an act of economic and social vandalism on my constituents which I won't forgive Post Office Limited and the government for in a hurry.

"But there's absolutely nothing we can do to get the decision changed."

The Conservative MP added that while the closure of some of the branches in the region was "sadly inevitable", the company made the wrong decision in closing the branch in Bengeworth, Evesham.