Anger at post offices' final day

The first Lincolnshire post offices affected by a closure programme have opened for the last time.

Almost 50 branches across the county are due to close or be replaced by other services as Post Office Ltd looks to cut losses.

Campaigners who gathered outside the Brook Street and Hill Avenue branches in Grantham said the loss of the service would damage the community.

But Post Office Ltd said it had considered the matter at length.

'High regard'

Councillor Graham Wheat, whose late wife ran the Brook Street branch for a decade, said: "In that time the amount of business just increased every year up until the time we left and I am quite sure that continued.

"This is a very, very busy post office and it is diabolical that this is the last day it will be open."

Another round of consultation on the future of Post Offices in the east of the county is due later this year.

A Post Office Ltd spokesman said: "We are aware of the high regard in which Post Office branches and those who serve in them are held and unfortunately with any change to the Post Office network some customers will be affected.

"We considered very carefully all the feedback received during public consultation and believe that our plans offer the best prospect for a sustainable network in the future."