An ex-councillor has hit out over closures which temporarily left south Lowestoft with only two operating post offices.

In September 2018 the Spar shop in Oulton Broad, which had one of the area's only Post Office's, was permanently closed.

Following this, from Thursday, July 25, the Post Office attached to the Nisa in Pakefield was temporarily closed.

Roger Woodard, 69, from Beverley Close, said: "There's certainly a lack of post office counters full stop.

"When such a post office closes it takes away a vital part of the community infrastructure and this results in people using other businesses at the same location."

Mr. Woodard also said it was sad to see that people readily accepted what happened to post offices in local communities.

He added: "We lost our post office in Oulton Broad last year and have been using the Pakefield office since. We called some two weeks ago and were told no one had turned up to open it.

"We went there again this Tuesday and no one in the Nisa store knew anything about what's happening. They advised us to travel to Kessingland or use the one in Carlton Road.

"The bottom line is that these constant closures only contribute to more congestion on our roads and takes out local services which are greatly needed."

A Post Office spokesperson explained the Pakefield Post Office was only temporarily closed, and reopened on Friday, August 2.

They said: "We sincerely apologise to customers for any inconvenience caused by the temporary closure of Pakefield Post Office.

"We are please to confirm the branch reopened yesterday afternoon."

Mr. Woodard suggested Waveney MP Peter Aldous was unaware of the impact closures were having on the community.

He said: "I think Peter Aldous may not be aware, however over the years we have seen a gradual decline in amenities in this area."

Peter Aldous reiterated that the Pakefield closure was temporary, and said: "As far as the government is concerned with post offices, they've committed to keeping the existing network open."