Commenting on the news that Penally and Templeton Post Offices face closure and another seven in the area are earmarked for outreach, Angela Burns Assembly Member for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire said: "At last this lengthy and very stressful process which has been hanging over post office workers is over."

"The closure of a post office will have a detrimental effect on many communities, especially in rural areas, and once again we are seeing people's choices being taken away."

Simon Hart, Conservative Parliamentary candidate, added: "To many communities the Post Office is the last service left to them and its removal will have a serious effect on the most needy in society.

"If local communities value their post office they should use this six-week consultation period to campaign against closure."

The proposed closure of a number of post offices in the north of the county concerns Preseli Pembrokeshire AM Paul Davies. In total seven are named for closure and another five for replacement with outreach services.

"I met with the Post Office last week to discuss the closures and told them my concerns that so many branches in rural areas in the north of Pembrokeshire are due to close," he said.

"I will be submitting my views to the consultation process and I hope that they will listen to all the feedback they receive."