Post Office bosses confirmed on Friday that the Doxey branch, in Stafford, would be closing as part of a national programme to remove struggling branches.

People in the area had fought a six-month battle to save the service after being told by consumer watchdog Postwatch that "people power" was the key to keeping it open.

Their complaints to the Post Office managed to delay the decision on the branch's future, which was originally expected in January.

'Right decision'

A spokeswoman for the Post Office said further consideration was given to the impact of the closure on the area before the final decision was made.

She said: "Having taken extra time to look at this branch on an individual basis and taken into account the needs of Stafford as a whole, we firmly believe this closure to be the right decision.

"We remain confident that the closure of Doxey Post Office will help maintain the future viability of other branches in the area."

It is the second branch to be closed in the Stafford area and customers must now use the Stafford branch which is 1.3 miles away or the Marston Road branch which is 1.5 miles away.