A VILLAGE store and post office is to close after its joint owner accused villagers of failing to support him.

Bitter Keith Martin, who has joint-owned Frieth's post office for 40 years with his brother Barry, said: "I'm closing the shop and post office because nobody in the village supports me.

"People don't come and shop here. We will be missed for other things that we do but not for the shop."

Steve Anderson, who runs the Prince Albert pub in the village, said he was sad to see the shop go.

He added: "Obviously people are sad that the shop is going because it's a facility we will lose. People will no longer be able to walk to the shop for their paper or a pint of milk. The owner could not make the shop pay anymore."

Don Veale, a spokesman for Consignia, said: "We are working closely with the local parish council as well as local councillors with a view to finding a suitable applicant for the position of sub-postmaster for Frieth.

"The existing premises are due to close on September 1 and we are making every effort to find a replacement by that date."