POST OFFICE have delivered a double blow to Rosyth residents after announcing two temporary branch closures.

The North Rosyth branch shut on Sunday following the decision taken by McColl's Retail Group to withdraw postal services from their shop on Queensferry Road.

That will be followed by the Rosyth Terminus on Hilton Road also closing on November 6 after its postmaster resigned and the withdrawal of the premises for post office use by McColl's.

Local MSP Annabelle Ewing has raised her concerns over the closures, and said: "To paraphrase Oscar Wilde: to lose one postmaster may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness.

“It is always unsettling when the temporary closure of a post office is announced but I am particularly concerned that it is only a month since I received notification of the temporary closure of the North Rosyth post office.

“Both these post offices were operated by McColl's, who claim to be the largest operator for the Post Office, so I am concerned as to whether this represents a general retreat by McColls from the provision of post office services, and I will be writing to both McColls and Post Office Limited seeking clarification on this point as it could affect other post offices in my constituency.

“It is particularly frustrating that the letter regarding the closure of the Rosyth Terminus post office directs people to the Rosyth North post office, despite having previously informed us that it will be closed from Sunday (October 6)."

Post Office Limited have advertised the vacancy at the North Rosyth branch online.

However, while they have done the same for Rosyth Terminus, Post Office went on to state that an "alternative type of service" could be brought in.

A Post Office spokesperson said: "Future provision will reflect customer numbers and usage and we may take the opportunity to establish an alternative type of service.

"This may be an outreach service where a postmaster from a nearby branch offers the facility with hours of opening set to reflect the likely number of customers who will use the service."

Ms Ewing addressed this and added: "I sincerely hope that there are individuals or businesses out there who will see both of these post office vacancies as opportunities and that normal service can be resumed as quickly as possible."