THE Post Office says it will not replace a branch in Furness after it closed.

The company says it has carried out a review following the closure of a branch on Barrow Island.

In a letter to residents, it said the postmaster had resigned and the space had been withdrawn for Post Office use.

Residents are now being directed to the nearest branch, at Furness House on the bottom of Dalton Road nearly a mile away and Plymouth Street on Walney, around a mile and half away.

In a letter, Post Office area change manager Ian Murphy said: "The Post Office has undertaken a comprehensive review of the network to ensure that it continues to meet evolving customer needs in a very challenging economic climate.

"This review examined the network at a very detailed, local level, analysing customer demand and accessibility of Post Office products and services.

"Consequently, it has informed our plans for the Network as we work to ensure that, our funding and resources are allocated to deliver maximum benefit for all customers.

"At this time, therefore, we are not looking to replace Ramsden Dock Road Post Office."

He added: "We apologise for the inconvenience the closure may cause.

"We hope that our customers will continue to use Post Office services and details of alternative Post Office branches in the area."

The Post Office sought to gauge the views of residents after the closure was announced, allowing people to send comments online.

Explaining the process of review unplanned closures of branches, the company said: "We are committed to engaging and supporting our customers and their representatives as we make changes to the Post Office network.

"Where the closure is unplanned, the service provision in the area will be reviewed based on current usage, modelling and availability of any suitable replacement or alternative service model.

"A commercial decision will be made if to actively seek to replace the closed service and will not be subject to public consultation."

In recent years the Barrow area has seen several Post Office branch closures, including in Ormsgill, Duke Street and Mill Lane.