A post office branch will close despite desperate last-ditch attempts to keep it open.

The branch at Landport Stores in Lee Road, Lewes, will close on Monday but the shop will continue to trade.

The move has raised fears the closure will create huge queues at the town's last remaining post office, the already busy main branch in the High Street.

More than 50 branches in Sussex face the axe after sweeping Government closures were pushed through.

In a bold step, Lewes District Council chiefs entered into talks with Post Office Ltd to try to save two branches through a community buyout scheme.

Plans for the branches in Landport and Claremont Road in Seaford were due to be discussed in secret at a meeting of the council's post office closure subcommittee.

But the committee was denied the chance to look at vital information which could help keep the branches open, which led to deputy council leader Jon Freeman accusing Post Office Ltd of "rank hypocrisy".

Lewes MP Norman Baker said: "It is extremely disappointing that the people of Lewes will now be left with only one post office to serve the entire town.

"The queues at the post office in the High Street are already unacceptable and this short-sighted decision will only make the current situation worse."