TWO lifelines in Northlew are soon to close, despite a large scale protest and campaigns by local villagers.
Northlew residents have learned that not only will they be losing their post office, which will be replaced by a mobile service, but their beloved shop will also close.
The replacement of 32 post office branches by 'outreach' solutions was confirmed last week.
As well as Northlew, the branches being replaced by this service include Lewdown, Meeth, and Postbridge. But a decision on Bridestowe Post Office has been delayed while Post Office chiefs review its future.
Northlew postmistress Wendy Wilkins said: 'We have said to residents from the beginning that the shop would go if the post office does. The community is upset as they don't want to lose either.
'The general feeling, like all over the country, is that we were given the six-week consultation period, and we did what we could, but there has still been no change.'
At the beginning of June, almost 300 people attended a meeting in Northlew's village square to demonstrate their anger over the proposals to close the post office.
Northlew resident Martin Perry said: 'We knew all along that the shop would go if the post office did, which is why we fought so hard to save the post office.
'It's a major disappointment for the village, and a lot of people will be badly affected by this.
'We have a lot of elderly people who don't drive and they are faced with the public transport system —14 miles is a long way to go to get a pint of milk.
'The closest place is Highhampton which is three miles away but there is no transport to get there and you certainly can't walk it — the realistic thing is to travel the seven miles to Okehampton.'
There is no set date for the closure of the post office and shop as the 'outreach' service is still being organised.