Archie Pacey, secretary of Gorebridge Community Council, made the claim in response to plans to close branches in Carrington, Easthouses, Lasswade High Street and Poltonhall.

Post Office Limited has launched a six-week consultation on the future of services in the Lothians, Edinburgh and south Scotland.

Community

Mr Pacey said: "They used to say closing the schools was taking the heart out of the community.

"It seems to me if you close the post offices, that's exactly what you are doing.

In a place like Carrington, where there's a large elderly population, they rely very much on having a post office."

Impact

He said the loss of the facility would particularly impact on those without cars as public transport to and from Carrington is poor.

Unlike other communities affected by the proposals, there are no plans to replace Midlothian's under threat branches with outreach or mobile services.

Decision

Subpostmaster of Poltonhall Post Office Tony Mundh said he would approach his MP, MSP and community council in a bid to stop the closure: "I feel the decision to close this branch has been made down south by someone who does not understand or appreciate the needs of the local community."

Adding that an increase in the local population is expected as a result of new developments in the area, Mr Mundh said: "I feel that one post office for this huge area is not enough to provide a satisfactory, efficient and prompt service."

For full story see The Advertiser, Thursday August 21