Pembrokeshire villages must not be pitted against each other in the battle to save their post offices, says Preseli Pembrokeshire AM Paul Davies.

Speaking after attending packed public meetings held to discuss plans to shut Clarbeston Road, Bwlchygroes and Llwyndrain post offices, Mr Davies said:

"The last thing we want is for one community to be pitted against another in the bid to save their branch.

"But we have heard that in some areas a post office has been saved only for an announcement to be made that another branch is to be shut instead.

"I have heard reports of this happening and the new closure then taking everyone by surprise."

The Clarbeston Road meeting was chaired by Conservative councillor David Howlett and attended by 230 residents as well as representatives of Post Office Ltd management.

Locals are outraged at the plan to replace the current 41-hour a week post office with a mobile service for 12 hours per week.

"The post office is based in the only shop in the village and there are fears that if the post office goes then they may lose the shop too," said Cllr Howlett.

At both meetings fears were expressed over the distance that would have to be travelled if the local post office was to shut.

"It was pointed out that although it may only be something like 5.4 miles from the closed post office to the next nearest branch, this figure doesn't take into account the nine miles or so that you may have already travelled from your home," added Mr Davies.