The future of rural post offices is under threat

A national post office watchdog has criticised the decision to close down a rural post office in Telford.

The post office at Little Dawley is one of 3,000 urban and rural stores earmarked for closure by Post Office Ltd.

But Postwatch Midlands has accused the company of ignoring the special circumstances in Little Dawley which give the shop a more viable future.

Chairman Richard Ward said the closure was "very short-sighted".

He told BBC Radio Shropshire: "It is very close to rural areas but most particularly, we felt the Post Office did not take account of the fact there is due to be built a new village nearby.

"The Post Office are well aware of that. We reminded them of that and explained that to close the post office in Little Dawley was very short-sighted.

He added: "The population in this area is going to double from just over 2,000 to something like 4,300 between now and 2006 when the development is due to be completed."