The Post Office in WHSmith Maidstone is closed today due to a lack of staff.

Post Office stores need three staff to legally open to the public but today, only two trainees are in the Week Street outlet.

One of the trainees, Jade McPherson, said: "We have still come in so we can send the post at 12:30 and get passports sent off. But we aren't qualified to run the post office on our own."

The store had to call in a qualified agency staff member to open yesterday. Staff stayed until 6:30pm - an hour after closing time - to make sure everyone got their post delivered.

Miss McPherson added: "The last two qualified people left on Monday. We have a new manager starting next Monday though."

It is hoped the store will be up and running again tomorrow with the help of stand-in staff, and more staff are currently being recruited.

Meanwhile, the nearest open Post Office is in The Sun newsagents on High Street, closing at 5pm.

A Post Office spokesperson said: “Maidstone Post Office transferred to WHSmith management very recently, and we’re very sorry to our customers for any inconvenience caused while some initial staffing issues are resolved. The Post Office is closed today, but we’re working quickly to get this sorted and get back to business as usual as soon as possible.”