South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has called on the Post Office to find an alternative operator for their Whitesands branch “as a matter of priority”.

Post Office has said the branch in the Spar shop is set to close in the autumn due to the resignation of the current operator, and an alternative is yet to be found.

This news was first announced in March this year and comes on the back of several closures across the region.

Colin Smyth said: “There have been rumours for some time over the future of this Post Office and few people will be surprised at this news.

“However, that doesn’t make it any less disappointing for the many people who use this service.

“As autumn is swiftly approaching, I will be encouraging Post Office to find an alternative operator as a matter of priority and have already discussed options with some town centre businesses.

“This branch closing would be the latest blow for businesses and residents who rely on their local Post Office service but I fear it won’t be the last.

“In the past year we’ve seen closures, reduced hours and temporary services affecting communities across the region and it’s not good enough.

“People need Post Offices in their local communities but more and more we’re seeing them disappearing.

“For the largest town in our region not to have a Post Office in the town centre would be the ultimate failure by Post Office ltd and we need to do all we can to avoid what would be another blow to our town centre.

“Dumfries used to have a busy crown post office on the heart of the town centre now it seems the Post Office can’t even sustain a desk at the back of a shop and that’s pretty appalling”