A LOCAL post office has been axed despite efforts to save the lifeline service.

Wemyss Bay Post Office, situated in the Spar shop on Ardgowan Road, has had the plug pulled despite villagers' opposition.

Local women Christine Gow and Sharon Shearer gathered over 500 signatures on a petition to keep the pot office open.

But operators CJ Lang has now confirmed it will be one of over 30 Spar stores across Scotland which will no longer offer postal services.

They said the decision - which comes after 18 months of negotiations - had been 'carefully considered' and was due to 'industry-wide pressures'.

But the campaigners say the closure will have a damaging impact.

Christine said: "There are going to be many more houses being built in this area, including on the old Inverkip Power Station site, over the next few years.

"Our Post Office is such a vital village resource.

"We feel let down after our efforts weren't even considered by bosses.

"It's such a huge loss to the village, we are hugely disappointed by the outcome."

Post Office officials insist the decision to close the Wemyss Bay branch was outwith their hands.

A spokesperson said: "We are disappointed that CJ Lang announced that the Post Office counters they operate on our behalf will close at a number of their stores.

"The decision to close these counters has been taken solely by CJ Lang.

"Post Offices play an important role in the heart of local communities across Scotland and we have worked closely with CJ Lang for a number of months to help keep open essential Post Office services for their customers.

"This included working together to develop tailored solutions to address their needs and support them in the challenging retail climate.

"At certain locations, there are nearby alternative Post Office branches, but we recognise that for some particularly older and disabled people they may not be easily accessible.

"We will look for replacement solutions both on a temporary or permanent basis for those branches that close.

"We are awaiting formal confirmation about the timescales for the affected branches before we inform local communities impacted."