Fate of post offices is decided

Some branches will be with mobile post office services

The Post Office has announced that three Devon post offices which it had been hoped might be reprieved from closure are to shut after all.

The branches at Millwey Rise in Axminster, Queen Street in Exeter and Offwell will close following a review by the Post Office.

Another four branches will be replaced by mobile "outreach" services.

In all, 40 branches across the county are scheduled to shut in a bid by the Post Office to stem losses.

'Unpopular' decision

A further 36 branches will be replaced by a mobile "outreach" service.

These include the offices at Bridestowe, Shebbear, Lustleigh and Widecombe in the Moor - it had been thought they might stay open.

The closures are part of the Post Office's programme to shut 2,500 branches nationally in order to stem losses of £4m a week.

Tim Nicholls, from the company, said: "We appreciate that any decision to close a Post Office branch will be unpopular.

"Nevertheless, Post Office Ltd has to make decisions to close branches in order to put the Network on a more stable footing for the future."

Plans to keep 12 branches which are attached to shops open with a £5,000 annual grant are being considered by Devon County Council.