THE decision to close the only post office in Bury town centre from next Tuesday has provoked a furious reaction.

The branch, based in Forbuoys in The Haymarket, will close to coincide with the newsagent's lease expiring.

With no alternative premises, it means that Bury will be without a town centre post office.

And customers have been left angry at being forced to travel to other branches across the borough.

The office has been based at the shop under a franchise arrangement since 1996 after the former Royal Mail Crown office in Crompton Street shut its doors.

But in April, Post Office bosses had to start searching for a new site and sub-postmaster after Forbuoys owners, Brentwood-based TM retail, announced the store would not be renewing its lease.

Bury Council offered an alternative site two weeks after the announcement was made, when former council leader John Byrne described the post office as a "vital community service to thousands of local people" and that they were working hard behind the scenes to come up with a solution.

But a Post Office Ltd spokesman declined to confirm if any current applications for a new site were being considered and stressed they were committed to maintaining a branch in the town centre.

He said: "We are making every possible effort to find an alternative partner with suitable premises. We apologise for any inconvience and hope customers will use alternative branches in the town."

The closure comes in the same week a rural post office also disappears. Summerseat Post Office, in India Street, will cease trading on Wednesday following the retirement of the postmaster.

The closure of Bury's main branch has caused widespread anger with customers who are being advised to travel to the nearest post offices in Parkhills Road, Rochdale Road and Crostons Road.

Tony Mann, of Danesmoor Drive, Bury, described the decision as "diabolical".

Mr Mann (69) said: "It should never have been moved from Crompton Street in the first place, especially into a private retail store. It is yet another failure of privatisation. Socialists are suppose to believe in nationalisation but now they are doing just the opposite. I think it is diabolical."

Beryl OBrien, of Mount Pleasant, Nangreaves, said: "I think it is sad. From where I live there is no direct contact with the post office and now I have to get two buses down to Walmersley Road and back again to get to the nearest one."

Travelling further afield for her postal services is also Joyce Emersons concer, as she has difficulty walking.

Mrs Emerson, of Nuttall Square, explained: "I think it is terrible that there is no main post office in Bury. I can't walk properly and it is against elderly people and will have a big effect on all of them."

Even customers with post offices near to their homes will be sad to see the main office close.

Dorothy Mitchell, of Manchester Road, explained: "It is going to be awkward. I dont get my pension here but I get a few other things. There is a post office near me but I prefer to come here where I can get some shopping done at the same time so it will be more inconvient having to make two separate journeys."

Edward OBrien (50), of Patterdale Drive, Bury, added: "I think it is disgusting. Where am I going to get my car tax now? I don't know where to go. There is a post office nearby but Ive always prefered coming to Bury."

The spokesman for Post Office Ltd reassured customers that services such as renewing car tax is available at up to 5,000 selective post offices across the country, including the Elton Post Office in Crostons Road and Fishpool Post Office in Parkhills Road. For information on other branches with the service, customers can call 08457 223344.

Anyone interested in filling the town centre post office vacancy can contact the agency recruitment section on 08456 016260.

Where do customers go from here?

Post Office Ltd is advising customers to use the nearest branches to Bury which are Elton Post Office in Crostons Road, Fishpool Post Office in Parkhills Road and Rochdale Road Post Office.

To reach Elton Post Office, one mile away from Bury town centre, customers can travel using the following bus services: 469, 474, 480 and 481.

To visit Fishpool Post Office, half a mile from the town centre, customers can use the 135, 137 and 138 services.

For Rochdale Road Post Office, just under one mile from the town centre, customers can travel on the 154, 163, 461, 471, 494 and 465 services.

All services depart from Bury Interchange.