Maidstone Town Post Office will be incorporated into the WHSmith store on Week Street from next month, the company has said.

After a six week consultation, bosses have opted to close the existing store and move it to a new premises less than 250 metres away.

The move is part of a modernisation programme and will see the new branch have five counters and three self-service kiosks.

Roger Gale, general manager for the Post Office’s Crown branch network said: “We believe the WHSmith premises will provide an excellent host location for Maidstone Town Post Office.

"The WHSmith retail offer will complement the wide range of Post Office products and services, which will continue to be available following the move."

There are no plans to remove the General Post Office (GPO) war memorial from Bank Street until it is assigned a new location after talks with Maidstone Borough Council (MBC).

The Bank Street branch will close on Wednesday, August 10. Its successor will be open the following day.

The new opening hours are from 9am to 5.30pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and

Friday, and 9.30am to 5.30pm on Tuesday and 9am to 12.30pm on Saturday.