Post offices in both Diss and Thetford are under threat of closure.

Eastern Daily Press: Diss Post Office in the Market Place. Picture: Angela SharpeDiss Post Office in the Market Place. Picture: Angela Sharpe (Image: Archant � 2009)

The organisation has said it is seeking 'partners' for 37 of its directly managed branches - and includes the Post Office on Market Place in Diss and Market Place in Thetford.

Last year, the firm announced 93 other branches were looking for 'partners', nearly half of which have now relocated into retail stores including WHSmith.

Graham Minshull, Diss Town Council leader, said the potential closure of the post office was 'a blow to the town'.

'I am shocked and stunned,' he said. 'It is completely out of the blue and we did not know anything about it. Obviously it is a major blow for the town if it did close.

'Whenever I go in there, there is always a queue. There is a demand for it. I am really disappointed.'

Roger Gale, Sales and Trade Marketing Director, said: 'The Post Office's network of more than 11,600 branches is easily the largest in the UK, with 17 million customer visits a week.

'The vast majority of these branches are run with partners, and in the locations announced today we believe this will also be a more sustainable approach for the long term.

'With consumer habits changing, and the high cost of maintaining premises in prime high street locations, franchising helps us to keep services where our customers want and need them.'

Other communities in the region have seen post offices move or plan to move into WHSmith stores, including in Great Yarmouth and Ipswich.

The Communication Workers Union has said the changes could result in the loss of around 427 staff.

What are your thoughts on the planned changes? Email rebecca.murphy@archant.co.uk or call reporter Rebecca Murphy on 01379 651176