The Post Office says someone could cover for lunch at the store

John and Lynda Mizen have been told they will lose the contract to run the sub-Post Office at Kittle, on Gower, south Wales, next month.

Post Office Limited said the couple are in breach of their contract by closing for lunch and plans to replace them.

Hundreds of their customers have signed a petition and protest letters and on Wednesday, the Mizens' MP, Martin Caton, will raise the case in the Commons.

Mr Mizen said he consulted his customers on his move to close the post office but keep his shop open during lunch-hour.

This seems to me totally illogical and I want to raise this matter on the floor of the House of Commons Martin Caton MP

He said: "The general opinion was that it would be no problem to close this office for one hour, so we did.

"It would not be in my interest if we were busy during those times

"If there was high demand for business, then I certainly would not want to close.

"I can honestly say, hand on heart, I have not had a single complaint - I cannot see the logic behind it."

He added that he had not been able to find someone to cover for one hour at lunch-time.

Gower MP Mr Caton wants the government to review the case.

Failed protests

He said: "They are prepared to actually close the post office in Kittle and get rid of him rather than try to come to some sort of accommodation with him.

"This seems to me totally illogical and I want to raise this matter on the floor of the House of Commons."

The protests have failed to persuade the Post Office to change its mind.

Angela Van Den Bogerd, Head of Area for Post Office Wales, said: "The decision to issues notice to Mr Mizen was not taken lightly or made in haste.

"The people of Kittle deserve a full service and the Post Office could be manned during the lunch hour by any one of the shop's five employees.