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People in Exmouth have spoken of their dismay as the town’s post office prepares to close, with some warning vulnerable residents could be left struggling to access essential services.

Hattie McCann, Jonathan Morris www.bbc.co.uk

The branch, which operates inside the town’s TGJones store – formerly WHSmith, is shutting on Monday as part of a wider closure programme affecting about 150 stores across the UK.

The Post Office said it hoped to open a replacement branch as soon as possible, although the process could take about six months.

It said in the meantime customers would be directed to branches at Littleham Cross and Budleigh Salterton.

Kate Wilcox, who campaigned against moving the post office into WHSmith several years ago, said residents had long feared the arrangement would leave the town without a permanent service.

She said: “Exmouth has a population of 36,000 and rising and it’s an elderly demographic and quite honestly people need the post office services.”

Wilcox said the loss of banks and building societies in recent years had increased the importance of the post office, particularly for people who relied on face-to-face banking and government services.

She said: “The town has been hollowed out by the closure of banks and building societies, the closure of the post office.”

Wilcox also warned the closure would be particularly difficult for older and disabled residents who may struggle to travel to alternative branches.

She said: “These are the people that actually need a friendly face to say, all right my love, what can I do?”

Exmouth resident Debbie Frost said the closure would make everyday tasks more difficult because she would have to travel further to access post office services.

Frost, who is visually impaired, said increasing reliance on digital services and touchscreen technology created additional barriers.

Although she accepted that services were changing, Frost said many people still needed face-to-face support and often had little choice but to depend on others.

She said: “I have to rely on friends or family to help me.”

The Post Office said in a statement: “We know how important our products and services are to the local community.

“The vacancy has been advertised and we have heard from interested retailers and we are looking more closely at the expressions of interest.

“We want to open a replacement branch as soon as possible, but this can take around six months.”