Post offices are at the heart of their communities, and this week Elstree residents have braced themselves for the potential loss of this social hub.

Closing the High Street post office may just be a cost-cutting exercise to the Government, but the detrimental implications for villagers, and the wider community, are substantial.Elderly residents who cannot and do not want to travel far to collect their pensions or buy stamps could be forced on a round trip of more than two-miles to alternative offices in Borehamwood or Edgware.Those locations already have extensive customer bases - increased trade will make their queues even longer.The borough's leading politicians should be applauded for quickly coming out to encourage residents to take part in the six-week consultation which will now take place before a final decision is made.Some will, however, continue to argue whether taxpayers should fund loss-making sub-post offices in an age where residents can use the internet for many of the services once offered over the counter.Elstree residents must be extremely diligent in sending their responses to ensure a clear voice of dissent is heard.We urge all our readers to join our Save Our Post Office campaign and fight to protect this vital community facility.