VILLAGERS in Harvington are worried about their pensions, following the closure of their local post office.

Pensioners face a 2.7 mile journey to the nearest alternative branch after their village post office closed on July 26.

Residents say many pensioners in the village are unable to reach nearby branches in Evesham and Salford Priors.

Derek Newsham, who lives in Hughes Close, said: “There are so many old people here who need a post office to get their pension every week.

"The other post offices are too far away for most people as they have no transport.

"I'm very upset about the closure as we a post office is essential to a village this size."

Mr Newsham, 81, said he hoped the Post Office would find a solution as quickly as possible.

"I think a mobile post office two times a week would be better than nothing," he said.

Mr Newsham said he uses the post office regularly for cash, letters and parcels.

Tim Swift, who has run the Harvington Post Office with his wife for nearly six years, said he was looking forward to retirement.

“It’s a new phase of life we are beginning and I’m really looking forward to it. We will still live here as this is our house," he said.

“We gave residents an extra year to see if they could find alternatives and we have kept them informed over the past two and a half years."

Mr Swift, 65, said he had enjoyed running the branch and had been assured that alternatives for a local service were being explored.

A closing notice outside the Post Office said the shop was no longer financially sustainable.

A Post Office spokesperson said: “Post Office can confirm that Harvington Post Office branch will be closing on July 26 at 5.30pm and the alternative branches are in Salford Priors and Evesham.

“This is due to the resignation of the Postmaster and the withdrawal of the premises for Post Office use.

“We apologise to customers for any inconvenience this may cause and we will be working hard to restore service as soon as possible.

“We try our very best to avoid situations like this and so we hope to have a solution as soon as possible."

The Post Office spokesman said a frequent bus service is available between Harvington Post Office and the post offices in Evesham and Salford Priors.

Mr Newsham said he had asked two pubs and a farm shop to host the Post Office but they declined.