The heart of the community could be lost if post office closures go ahead, a leading councillor warned.

Councillor Julian Murray, who leads the Labour party group on South Beds District Council, said people in the Downside area of Dunstable will be especially hard done by if the branch in High Street South is shut.

He said buses into the area are very infrequent, and said householders would have to travel 1.7 miles to the nearest post office if the closure goes ahead.

Mr Murray said: 'It's the heart and soul of the community which is at risk.

'I would have some sympathy with the post office if there weren't people in Royal Mail making a fortune out of providing a failing service and making large bonus.'

And he was pessimistic about the impact the effect the consultation could have.

The councillor told members of the local governance committee: 'The post office isn't seeking our views, it's quite obvious they've made their minds up and this really is a PR exercise to make the public think their views matter, which they don't on this.'

He continued: 'The post office has suffered death by a thousand knives in the last 20 years.

'I'm not going to apologise for what I think is this government's wrong policy, but I think it's been the policy of governments of more than one colour.'

Join our campaign to save local post offices by clicking here.