A rural post office being axed as part of a controversial cost-cutting initiative will be sending out its last parcel today.More than 1,000 residents, including rock legend Rick Wakeman, signed a protest petition calling for a rethink when it emerged that Scole Post Office was on the hit list for closure, along with thousands of other outlets nationally.

A rural post office being axed as part of a controversial cost-cutting initiative will be sending out its last parcel today.

More than 1,000 residents, including rock legend Rick Wakeman, signed a protest petition calling for a rethink when it emerged that Scole Post Office was on the hit list for closure, along with thousands of other outlets nationally. But they failed to win a reprieve.

Sub postmistress Kim Charles is doing her utmost to remain upbeat and is inviting local pensioners - who will be the hardest hit - to pop in for free refreshments to mark the post office's last day.

“We are going to keep the shop going, and I shall be in touch with South Norfolk Council to see if there's any grants available and if there is anything they can do help,” she said.

“We are going to knock down the post office part once the equipment is out. It's been a bit of a nightmare. I'm too much of a lady to say what I think of them, but it has been a shambles from start to finish.”

She added: “We do have a strong community and I just feel sorry for our pensioners, it's a very sad time. We have bought a couple of boxes of biscuits and sweets and are offering free tea and coffee on Monday. I shall be telling them that the store is still here and I know they will come down for a chat.”

The village post office near Diss is one of 2,500 branches across the UK to be lost under the latest round of closures - Post Office Ltd claiming that the existing network was unsustainable.