A convenience store which houses one of the town’s Post Office branches is to close this weekend.

The Martin McColl’s shop off Brookfield Road will shut on Sunday.

The shop’s in-store Post Office will serve its final customers today.

Disappointed residents in South Ashford say the closure will hurt the elderly community.

One 85-year-old resident, who frequently uses the shop, said: “I think it is terrible it is closing.

“When you don’t have a car and you’ve got to walk everywhere, it’s difficult.

“I use it every day to get my newspaper, pay my bills, send parcels and get my pension.”

“I was shocked to hear it was closing and my 89-year-old neighbour who lives around the corner is quite distressed about it.

A McColl’s spokesman confirmed the store is closing.

He said: “Having explored all options, regretfully we have taken the difficult decision to cease trading at the McColl’s store in Brookfield.

“We are saddened to no longer be operating the store and our priority has been to support all affected colleagues.”

A Post Office spokeswoman said: “The branch is run by Martin McColl’s which is closing the shop and at the same time has resigned from the Post Office.

"While we always work hard to maintain Post Office services, from time to time, branches do temporarily close.

“When this happens, we always look to restore services as quickly as possible, as we know how important Post Offices are.”

The postal service is asking any retailer or small business owner interested in running the Post Office and incorporating it into their business to email NTquestions@postoffice.co.uk or visit www.runapostoffice.co.uk.

The news comes just days after it was announced the Tannery Lane site will move to WHSmith.