The closure of a sub post office has left customers flabbergasted and elderly people concerned about how they will get their pensions.

The branch inside Marseans Convenience Store, in Chastilian Road, Dartford, closed after the postmaster decided he no longer wanted to run the service.

Several people are worried as they now have to travel across the borough to use other, busier post offices.

A 69-year-old woman, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “We’re flabbergasted. We’re smack in the middle of Dartford and Crayford and it will be a big loss to the community because our local buses are once every half an hour.

“You think that we’d be notified, especially elderly people because a lot go for their pensions.

“They have to go to Crayford or Dartford now and both of those post offices are overcrowded. You don’t want to queue up when you are old because of all the standing up.”

Naresh Purohit, postmaster at the branch for 12 and a half years, said it had become difficult to make money. The popularity of direct debit payments had had a big effect.

He said: “It’s difficult to make much money, you’ve got to really work hard.

“Trade we used to get in terms of pensions and people paying their water bills and TV licences – all these are gone now and on top of that we used to get a lot more remuneration from the Post Office.”

Mr Purohit, who also runs Marseans, which will remain open, said he sympathised with those who relied on his branch.

He said: “I apologise, but people understand it’s a business. There are others they can go to.”

Councillor Andy Lloyd, member for Heath Ward, which includes Chastilian Road, said: “Naturally I’m very disappointed at the decision as the post office provides an important service to our community.

“However, I also understand with the gradual movement to services online the commercial business case is bad and it can’t continue to operate at a loss for years on end.

“I hope the Post Office finds a nearby alternative site soon.”

Mr Purohit is not the only postmaster calling it a day.

Saeed Younis, postmaster of the Holmesdale Road branch in South Darenth, resigned, claiming it was “impossible to make any money.”

It was expected to re-open with a temporary sub postmaster yesterday (Wednesday).

A Post Office spokeswoman said the organisation apologised for any “inconvenience caused” by the closure.