ELDERLY people are being forced to walk into Darwen town centre after the Hollins Grove sub-post office closed without warning.

The first people knew of the closure was when they turned up for their pensions this week and found the joint shop and post office locked up and the Post Office sign above the shop blanked out by white paint.

A 'special notice to customers' stuck to the door read: "Due to circumstances beyond our control this office will close at 1pm on Tuesday, April 27 until further notice. Alternative post offices are Darwen, Moss Bridge, Sunnyhurst or London Terrace."

A spokesman for Post Office Counters, Graham Moore, said: "We are no longer able to use the premises and our temporary sub-postmaster has now left. We have responsibility for very few of the buildings we use as they are let by individuals.

"The person who owns the building told us on about April 22 that we were no longer welcome to use the premises. We appreciate that it is inconvenient and we apologise to customers. At this stage I can not say what will happen to the post office in that area.

"We are about to announce later this month the area plan for Rossendale and Darwen as part of the urban closure scheme. The longer-term future will become clearer once that has been announced."

It is believed that the shop and post office, which were being run by a temporary sub-postmaster, relied on each other for business. The shop will also remain closed. It has not been revealed what the owner intends to do with the building.

When Bob Gregson, of Cavendish Street, went for his pension this week he discovered the post office closed.

He said: "It was all locked up. I wasn't due to go into town until yesterday so I had to wait for my pension until then."

His wife Muriel, 81, had not had her pension for a month which means she is owed around £190. She said: "Luckily I had reserves but I feel sorry for those who didn't have any money. I walk very badly and it's hard work uphill especially when you get there and it's shut."

Coun Derek Brindle said: "There are hundreds of pensioners stranded who can't get any money. They can't always get to other post offices and they might need that money for food."