DISMAY and disappointment are rife in West Devon this week, after Post Office Ltd struck a blow to rural life.

POL announced on Tuesday that both Bridestowe and Shebbear Post Office — which both thought they might stay open — will be replaced by a mobile 'outreach' service.

The further review of these branches was announced in July when decisions on the future of a further 71 Devon post offices was confirmed.

The news has come as a shock to the Bridestowe community who rallied together in a bid to save their post office.

Naomi Nardi, joint owner of Bridestowe Post Office and Riverside Stores, said: 'We're incredibly disappointed, but the next stage is to make sure the outreach service proposed for Bridestowe is the best possible one — we're waiting to see what happens next.

'Bridestowe is not completely losing its postal service, but what shape it will take we just don't know yet.

'We'll let everyone know what will be happening as soon as we know.

'I feel desperately sorry for everyone who tried to save us and want to thank everyone for their support — but watch this space.'

Okehampton county councillor Christine Marsh, who covers the Bridestowe area, said: 'I'm dismayed and disappointed. I'm well aware of all the issues and how everyone has been trying to support the shop.

'It's another blow against rurality. We now need to start looking outside the box and think of more diverse, and perhaps radical, ways of maintaining village life.'

Cllr Marsh's thoughts appear to have been echoed in County Hall and there may yet be a silver lining in the pipeline for Bridestowe.

On the same day POL confirmed the finalised closures, the county council announced a strategy to support shop owners who continue to offer a post office service to their community, even though they have closed as a brand Post Office.

This will include a series of short term practical solutions to support rural shops and communities.

Among these will be the launch of a business advice scheme for shop owners, whose businesses provide a partnered post office service, complemented by annual grants of up to £5,000 for up to three years.

The county council believe this grant scheme is the first of its kind in the country.

In order to qualify for this scheme shop owners must apply to the county council and meet certain criteria.

The county anticipates there are around twelve village post office / shops which would meet their criteria and with business advice and grants for up to three years, those businesses should have every chance of remaining sustainable and viable.

Bridestowe Post Office would appear to be one of these, but the council is not yet in a position to announce which post offices it will be supporting.

Devon County councillor Brian Berman, who is one of those behind the scheme, said: 'We are pleased to support those communities for whom loss of their local post office would probably mean loss of the only shop in their village.

'The business advice and the annual grants should provide sufficient support to keep those businesses running, with a view to helping them sustain profitability.

'But I encourage people to use their local shop and post office services, otherwise I fear that they may lose them should further rounds of efficiencies from Post Office Limited follow.'