The number of post offices scheduled for closure in Norfolk s non-negotiable - that was the definitive message from the Post Office boss in charge of wielding the axe to services in the region.

The number of post offices scheduled for closure in Norfolk s non-negotiable - that was the definitive message from the Post Office boss in charge of wielding the axe to services in the region.

Laura Tarling, network development manager for Post Office Ltd, stood before nearly 100 postmasters, MPs, councillors and members of the public who packed Aylsham Town Hall to discuss the closures last week.

Mrs Tarling said “the forthcoming six-week consultation is about the network we are proposing to leave behind. We are not consulting on the number of closures because that it something the government consulted on last year.”

When pressed by North Norfolk MP Norman Lamb, she admitted that if one post office was saved it would be at the expense of another. And Peter Smith, enterprise officer for Norfolk Rural Community Council, said saving one post office would mean another closing.

He said communities had three options - to argue, accept or adapt.

The local post offices slated for closure are at

East Runton, Gimingham, Cromer Road at Sheringham,

Marsham and the Banningham Crown and Hickling Pleasure boat pubs as well as at Barney, Wells Road at Fakenham, Great Walsingham Barns and Holkham in the western half of north Norfolk.