Angry councillors were today left stunned at the news that a village post office near Stafford is doomed because the postmaster is retiring.

The Derrington sub-post office closure would be in addition to the four others, including nearby Great Bridgeford, in the Stafford area announced by Post Office Ltd earlier this year.

Local councillors have branded the decision as “shocking” and intend to write to the post office expressing their disgust.

Owners of the Derrington Village Stores, which also houses the sub post office, say they are retiring and it would be impossible to sell the business when it is not profitable.

Mrs Lilian Sellwood and her husband Bill, who live at the shop in Mount Pleasant, took over about three-and-a-half years ago and are due to retire on June 5.

“We put a lot of time, effort and money into it when we first came here. The people in the village are really lovely but they shop at Sainsbury or Tescos, you name it.

“They don’t spend their money here, papers and milk are not enough,” said Mrs Sellwood, adding that they plan to carry on living on the premises.

Speaking of the post office closure borough councillor Ray Sutherland said: “This is a real shock.

“The Post Office has stated that they want to keep local services, but this news following on from the announcement that they intend to close Great Bridgeford Post Office is nothing but bad news for local residents.”

County councillor for the area Mark Winnington said: “I am very angry that the Post Office has left the Derrington and Bridgeford area with the very real threat of no local post office and presumably no local shop.

“There are many older people and non-drivers in the area. Are they now expected to jump on a bus every time they need a postage stamp?

“Myself and Ray Sutherland will be writing to the Post Office National Consultation team and voicing our disgust at the way local communities are being left without services.”

In addition to Great Bridgeford the Post Office announced the proposed closures of Marston Road and Wolverhampton Road post offices in Stafford, the office at Stowe-by-Chartley, and Walton Post Office, Filleybrookes, Stone, as part of a nationwide programme to shut branches said to be non-viable.