Stourbridge Post Office has suddenly closed as part of an inquiry, leaving residents and traders in the dark about its future.

Royal Mail bosses said the unexpected and temporary closure followed a recent audit at the branch in High Street but hoped it would reopen today. A notice recommended visiting other branches in Wollaston, Brierley Hill and Lye.

Clent resident Tim Crowley, aged 50, had travelled into Stourbridge to get a large parcel weighed and posted to Bedfordshire this morning.

He said: “This is very inconvenient, I came in specifically and now I’m going to have to find somewhere else. I’m lucky enough to have a car and can travel to one of the other branches nearby, but not everyone has that luxury.”

Peter Allan, owner of Stephen Allan Menswear, said his internet business had been disrupted.

“After the weekend we had about 150 parcels that needed to be sent out, and I had to take them in my car to Wollaston to do instead,” he said.

Royal Mail spokeswoman Poppy Brady said: “We would like to apologise to customers inconvenienced by this temporary closure and advise them they can use any other Post Office branch in the area.”