MORELEIGH post office will definitely close as part of the Post Office's rationalisation plans but the final verdict on Abbotskerswell is yet to be made.

The decision was announced this week as the company gave a stay of execution to Abbotskerswell post office pending further review.

Moreleigh and Abbotskerswell were added to the list after campaigners managed to save Chelston and Torre post offices — the only two post offices to be saved in Torbay.

Abbotskerswell parish councillor David Munden said: "We will have to wait and see what happens.

"Because of the proposed closure we have been able to evaluate how important it is and if it did close it would be the busiest village post office to close by some way."

Cllr Munden estimates that 300 people a week use the post office in The Square.

Tim Nickolls, Post Office Ltd's network development manager for Devon, said: "We appreciate that any decision to close any post office branch will be unpopular.

"Nevertheless, Post Office Ltd has to make decisions to close branches in order to put the network on a more stable footing for the future and achieve this in a way which best meets the demands and concerns of its customers."

Postal services will be provided by a network of branches which supports the national accessibility criteria introduced by the Government and ensures that no more than 99 per cent of the area's population will either see no change to their existing branch or will remain within one mile by road distance.