Geoff Creeber said he feels sorry for the customers

The Royal Mail is trying to stem losses which reached �1.1bn last year.

About 3,000 post offices in cities and towns around the UK are closing to save costs.

Customers at Pomphlett post office were served right up until the last minute on Friday by sub post master Geoff Creeber.

One said: "I'm very disappointed because we live locally and I like money in the post office, not in the hand.

"We have always been used to that.

"Mr Creeber will be very sorely missed."

'Cannot compete'

Mr Creeber said: "I feel sorry for the customers. They use the post office, not just as somewhere to buy stamps, but also as a meeting place, but it's beyond my control.

"I injected extra cash into the post office last year, but we cannot compete with the changes.

"We have offered a good service and if I could have given more I would have."

Although Mr Creeber is leaving the post office, he will still be working in other outlets around Plymouth as a holiday relief worker.