The branch was one of 11 threatened Calderdale post offices which, it was announced two days ago, will now all be shut.

It was hoped Midgley post office, which is run by volunteers and held up as a model of community collaboration, would stay open after residents publicly fought against the closure.

But despite protestors highlighting the impact its loss would have on the village, they say their words fell on deaf ears.

"It is a huge shame", said Alistair Grant the chairman of Midgley Community Forum. "We were very disappointed and this is a real loss to the village.

"It is an extremely important facility to the village and everybody pitched in to keep it open - we had a lot of support.

"But the consultation was a sham and they made up their minds long ago."

Politicians, civic leaders and Calderdale Council who put their weight behind campaigns and public meetings to keep the branches open have responded angrily to the announcement.

Craig Whittaker, Conservative parliamentary candidate for the Calder Valley, said: "I am disappointed that the Post Office do not seem to have listened to the thousands of unhappy residents.

"We will continue to fight for these vital parts of our community and stand-up for the people who will be devastated by their loss."

Midgley post office is used by more than 50 people every week and its postmaster, Sam Robinson, was previously named Rural Postmaster of the Year.

Now users will have to travel to Mytholmroyd, where there is no direct bus service, or Luddenden Foot, which is said to take hours.

Adrian Wales, Post Office Ltd's network development manager North East, said: "These are difficult decisions which have not been taken lightly."

The branch will shut in August.