THE future of Bridestowe sub post office still hangs in the balance following the announcement on Tuesday that 37 post offices in Devon will be closed — the first closures will take place next month.

Bridestowe is one of seven branches in Devon for which a final decision has been delayed. Others include Shebbear, Lustleigh and Widecombe in the Moor.

But the fate of Sampford Courtenay post office has been confirmed — Post Offices Ltd says it is no longer part of its plans.

Naomi Nardi, joint owner of Bridestowe post office with her husband, Richard, said she remained positive her post office could still be saved, particularly, after the superb response from her customers in the campaign to save the village service — last month more than 100 people made their feelings known at a demonstration in the village.

Naomi, who has been at Bridestowe for more than six years, said: 'We are quite pleased that our post office is one that is currently under further review and that further consideration on it remaining open will take place.

'We feel we have such a strong case — 850 letters of support passed through our branch alone, not including those who posted or emailed them directly to Post Office Ltd.

'People here have been brilliant and I'm absolutely amazed at the response to our threatened closure.'

During a six-week public consultation on possible closures, Post Office Ltd received 7,500 responses in Devon, of which 12% were in support of Bridestowe PO.

'We are determined to be positive but I am very sorry for those post office owners and staff who have had a negative decision today.'

Ironically, the Nardis say that their Bridestowe post office has never been busier, especially as the rising cost of fuel has meant people are looking to buy stamps and milk more locally rather than drive miles for services.

Tim Nickolls, Post Office Ltd's network development manager for Devon, said: 'These are difficult decisions which have not been taken lightly.

'We have considered very carefully all the comments made during the public consultation.

'We believe that the amended plan announced today offers our customers across Devon the best prospect for a sustainable network in the future, bearing in mind the Government's minimum access criteria and the other factors it has asked us to consider.'

The replacement of 32 branches by 'outreach' solutions was also confirmed today. These incude Chillaton, Lewdown, Meeth, Milton Abbot, Northlew and Postbridge.

The decisions have been reached after public consultation and Postwatch, the consumer body representing Post Office customers.

Cllr David Weeks, chairman of West Devon Borough Council's overview and scrutiny committee, said: 'Uncertainty over Bridestowe remains a real worry and this whole situation is a complete mess.

'Presumably, Post Office Ltd knew that many services in Devon would probably be replaced by outreach services as a consequence of the network change programme.

'They even had an extra four weeks to finalise these arrangements because of the local government elections in May. Yet we still await proper detailed explanation on how post office services are going to be provided to the people of West Devon.'

Geoffrey Cox, MP for West Devon and Torridge, has condemned the decision of the Post Office Ltd to ignore 'informed, relevant and well-thought out arguments' from thousands of people for the survival of rural post offices in his constituency.

The MP, who last week instigated a Commons debate on the closures, said: 'The failure to set clear and effective guidelines against closure, where, for example, the post office supported the last shop in the village or where a rural community was isolated; the failures so far to ensure that outreach proposals were credible and sustainable, and that the consultation was more than a show, are to be laid firmly at the door of the Government.

'The Post Office's response to the overwhelming weight of argument appears so feeble and inadequate that one can only conclude that the whole thing has been for show only.'

 The MP said that he would continue, in conjunction with Postwatch, to apply pressure to save Bridestowe and Shebbear Post Offices and would be writing to the Secretary of State shortly.