VILLAGERS are currently protesting against the launch of a mobile post office in Nacton.

VILLAGERS have been protesting against the launch of a mobile post office in Nacton this morning.

About 30 residents blocked the mobile post office van from taking up its position on the George Court car park from 7.45am.

It was the first day of the outreach service - which will run for two hours, four days a week - following the closure of the village post office.

But residents prevented the van from taking up its position and no villagers used the service.

Angela Hill, 39, was one of those blocking the van. She said: “We are just making a protest because we did not want the post office to close in the first place.

“What is really worrying us is that the village shop is threatened by closure because without the revenue from the post office we do not think they will be able to continue. It is a real centre point for the old people in the village. If the shop goes then the heart goes out of the village.”

Simon Cudworth, who is a sub postmaster in Cliff Lane Post Office in Ipswich, was operating the post office van. He admitted to being “surprised” when he saw the protestors. “Personally I understand people's feelings. They do not want to see the post office close. While I can understand their feelings I am here to provide a service.”