A Hampshire post office could be under threat as a result of government plans.
The Barton Stacey Post Office, run by husband and wife Kevin and Lisa May, could face serious issues under proposals outlined in a government Green Paper.
The Green Paper is in relation to the future of Post Offices, and it outlines the government’s vision and objectives for them over the next five to 10 years.
The postmaster of Barton Stacey Post Office, Kevin May, said: "I took the time to read the green paper, and it's quite a lengthy document, but I didn't get too far into it until I got a big shock, actually.
"The government is suggesting that Post Office Limited close down the outreaches, including my mobile post office, which provides a wage with it, so it helps us bring in more revenue.
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"There are not a lot of people using the post offices as there are now too many competitors, with the internet, people aren't really sending letters, so the government wants to find a way to help the postmasters earn a bit more, and there's even a digital red post box a matter of metres from our front door.
"Essentially, what the government have said is they support the urban post office."
Kevin's mobile post office serves villages for up to 12 hours per week at a variety of locations, offering postal and basic banking services to residents.
He believes the service is vital for those who rely on face-to-face transactions and are unable to get around by themselves due to age or other restrictions.
He said: "We might not see hundreds of people everywhere we go, although we might see hundreds through the year, to a heart core of people in these villages, they can't get out they want to be able to do their banking, they no longer drive, they wait until we come to their villages and they can make their own transactions.
"So if we weren't there, then they are losing a huge part of themselves.
"Half the time, we are the only retail establishment in the villages, so we are very important to the community with this service."
In addition to the mobile service, he runs the village shop and post office in Barton Stacey full-time.
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Kevin has found that if the Barton Stacey Post Office loses the money from the mobile post office, all 13 villages he serves will come to an end and so will the post office as they won't be able to afford to keep the operation running.
Along with the 13 villages, his own Barton Stacey would suffer from the closure of the post office.
He said: "This place has been here for around 200 years through all sorts of crises and wars and when trouble comes, you need somewhere that is reliable and where they can get their essential services.
"There is too little else around here, there is the pub just down the road, and I think it's great that there is still a hub in this village but as well the other villages I visit.
"It's not just buying stamps, it's being able to pay the bills over the post office counter, you know, they pay their accounts for tax, and it's the social aspect, being part of the hub in the village, it's the only place some people can go.
"And if we're gone, we are gone forever because no one will ever open a post office here again."
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