A VITAL community resource which has been at the heart of Greenock's west end for many years will close down later this month.

The Tele can reveal that the postmaster at Brisbane Street post office has handed in their resignation, meaning the branch will close this month.

Post Office bosses confirmed that it will shut on Friday August 27.

A search is to be launched to find someone to take it on.

Bosses at the Post Office say that as the branch is run by a postmaster who employs staff directly, they are unable to comment on the potential for job losses.

The spokesperson added: "We apologise for any inconvenience that the temporary closure may cause.

"We know how important a Post Office is to a community and we will look to see how service can be restored to the area.

"The vacancy will soon be advertised on www.runapostoffice.co.uk."

The Post Office has directed customers to the branches in Nicolson Street, Murdieston Street and Cathcart Street as alternatives.

The closure and uncertain future of the branch is the latest blow for Post Office customers in Inverclyde.

In June, it was announced that Wemyss Bay Post Office, situated in the Spar shop on Ardgowan Road, was closing, despite opposition from villagers.

A petition with 500 signatures to keep it open was snubbed.

Port Glasgow town centre has been without a post office since last March.

A fire closed the premises it was based within and earlier this year it was confirmed it would not reopen.

Politicians and members of the public have been lobbying for a replacement.

Gourock Post Office has also been affected by a series of unexpected closures, with customers hitting out over the unreliability as well as an unpopular move to switch parcel collection services out of town to the main Knowe Road sorting office in Greenock.