West Charleton Post Office is likely to be closed down later this year.

Post Office Ltd has published a list of 45 post offices in Devon earmarked for possible closure.

And the West Charleton branch, which has served the needs of villagers for many years, appears on this list.

A six-week public consultation has now been opened by the Post Office into the closure plan.

The decision will come as a devastating blow for many in the village who rely on the Post Office for all their financial transactions.

Writing in the Kingsbridge Gazette on Friday 16 May, resident Joan Gross said: "The possible closure of the post office and stores has been discussed.

"Tony Westlake declared that he held out little hope for the future of both these facilities in the village as they were not commercially viable.

Tim Nickolls, Post Office Ltd: "Taking the decision to close any Post Office branch is always very difficult and we know will cause concern to many of our customers."

"In an effort to save this important village amenity, a letter is to be delivered to all households in East and West Charleton inviting people to support the post office.

"People will be asked to sign the letter, which will be collected by hand. The result of this plea should be known by the end of July."

Tim Nickolls, network development manager for Devon, said: "Taking the decision to close any Post Office branch is always very difficult and we know will cause concern to many of our customers.

"The purpose of this public consultation is to ensure that we have the best available local knowledge to allow us to make the most informed decisions about which branches should close or be replaced by an outreach service."

Postwatch, the independent postal watchdog, has encouraged people to join in the public consultation.

Nerina Bowdenhamer, from Postwatch, said: "It has been proven that because of public input some changes have been made to proposals and in very few cases some of these post offices closures have been withdrawn."

Post Office Ltd plans to close around 100 Devon and Cornwall branches as part of its modernisation drive following rising losses and a fall in demand.

Kellaton Post Office has also been earmarked for possible closure.