Hart Post Office, in Front Street, Hart Village, is among three in Hartlepool set to close.

Postmaster Eddie Watson, who has been there for 37 years, wasn't surprised by the decision which also means the village shop will be closing as well.

The 68-year-old from Hart Village, who lives above the shop, said: "We won't close before July 1 but when we do the shop will close as well.

"I told the people of the village that if they didn't use it then they would lose it and that has happened. I have only sold two loaves of bread in the past fortnight.

"That's how bad it was. The post office side hasn't been too bad. I will get a lump sum of compensation but by the time all the redundancy money has been paid there won't be much left."

Mr Watson said he would make a decision on his future once the post office has closed.

The Hutton Henry branch, in Front Street, will also close and villagers will have to make the 3.8 mile round trip to Wingate for their nearest post office.

Harry Cole, the 60-year-old postmaster, said: "I am disgusted, annoyed and deflated with the whole process.

"I just fail to see the point of it all. Fair enough they are losing money but I fail to see the point in cutting off the tentacles of the operation.

Mr Cole, who has been a postmaster for 26 years, said the decision will have a big impact on the village.

He said: "This is the only day time business here and for a lot of people it is the only chance they get to meet other people in the village.

"I am 60 years old and have been in this business for 26 years, and I haven't really kept up with everything else, technology wise. Who will employ me now?

"The village shop, within the post office, closed more than ten years ago and village life has changed within the last 20 years.

"It used to be that everyone knew everybody else but that isn't the case anymore."

All the postmasters affected by the closures will be compensated by the Post Office.