ANGRY residents in a Huntingdonshire village have criticised the closure of their post office, saying the heart of the community is being stolen. Great Gidding post office, based at the village shop in Main Street, will close today (Wednesday) as part o

ANGRY residents in a Huntingdonshire village have criticised the closure of their post office, saying the "heart of the community" is being stolen.

Great Gidding post office, based at the village shop in Main Street, will close today (Wednesday) as part of a Post Office Limited cost-cutting measure.

The post office was one of 25 branches across Cambridgeshire identified last year for closure.

Although the village shop will remain open, some residents fear the loss of the post office services will have a significant impact on the community.

Paul Burgess, who has lived in the village for more than 30 years, told The Hunts Post the closure of the post office facility is a huge blow.

"This is a brilliant village and a lovely place to live and the post office is the heart of it. The next closest post office is a 10-mile round trip to Sawtry."

As The Hunts Post went to press, Mr Burgess said he would be showing his support for the post office by holding placards outside the village shop today.

Jed Patel, who has run the post office for more than 10 years with his wife, Aruna, said: "It is a sad day for the community. The post office is a well-used facility and I think it will be sorely missed."

The village will now be served by a mobile post office service, offer facilities for eight hours a week.