Post Office to axe seven branches

Post Office numbers nationally have almost halved since the 19609s

The Post Office has announced the closure of seven of its branches in South Yorkshire.

The move follows weeks of uncertainty for staff and customers and comes despite protests across the region.

The Post Office, which is shutting hundreds of branches across the country, says it needs to cut costs to safeguard the future of the network.

Thousands of people have protested against the plans, saying post offices are a vital part of community life.

'Devastating effect'

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) also condemned the news.

"Post offices are a vital lifeline for small businesses," said an FSB spokesman.

"For many small businesses, using the local post office to pay in cheques and cash has been some compensation for the loss of so many bank branches over the last few years.

"Many of the sub-postmasters who will lose their livelihood from this closure programme are themselves small businesses who combine the running of a sub-post office with another form of local store.

"By losing the financial support provided by being a sub post office most of these rural amenities will be forced to close with a devastating effect on the local community."