Retired council worker John Taylor, 63, of Otterington Close, Hart village, said: "The village has been let down by the decision to close the post office. This will have a big affect on the old people in the village.

"I think it is disgusting."

Thomas Pearson, a 76-year-old retired farm worker from Front Street, Hart village, said: "It is certainly an inconvenience for the people of the village. The pensioners get a free bus pass but there isn't a regular service and taxis are expensive.

"I didn't expect it to close because it is the only shop in the village."

Dougie Crosbie, a 69-year-old director of Hart Industrial Tools, said: "We are regular users because post packages all over the country. We will now have to spend money on fuel to get to the main one in the town centre."

The Front Street resident added: "It is the old folks I feel sorry for because they rely on it for their pensions."

Tina Hays, 26, of Oakley Gardens, said: "I think it is really sad because there are a lot of people living in this area. It is also a shop and people will go there to buy things when they are in the post office.

"I really didn't expect it to close."

John Moore, 63-year-old delivery driver from Seaton Carew, said: "I work for Ords and we use this post office five days a week. I think it is absolutely shocking that they will be closing it.

"I guess I am going to have to join the big queues in the town centre from now on."

Sarah Major, a self-employed nail technician from Hart Lane, said: "It is most inconvenient because I am always nipping in here on the way to picking up my children.

"I also do a lot of shopping on the internet and the staff here are very helpful when I bring my packages in.

"This is a huge area and there are a lot of people that use it."

Pam Brown, 52-year-old owner of Seams Sew Easy, in Elwick Road, said: "It is disgusting that they are closing. We use it to post parcels all the time and it will mean I will have to go into town and the parking is a nightmare."

The Coniscliffe Road resident added: "That post office is just on our doorstep and I am absolutely gutted it is going to close."

Sarah Dickenson, 26-year-old full time mother from Thirlmere Street, said: "To be honest it is going to be very awkward because the Oxford Road Post Office isn't that easy to get to because there are a couple of busy roads to cross.

"It is very convenient and it will have a big effect on the people in this area."

Gary Hamilton, 22, of Elwick Road, said: "I don't really use it much myself but I think it should stay open because it is always busy.

"It is a great shame that it will be closing because there are quite a few elderly people living in the area."