Traders and residents have been left in the lurch by the sudden closure of a post office.

The St George's Close branch in Kemp Town has been shut for weeks and there is no sign it will soon reopen.

But users have been assured there are no plans to permanently close the outlet and moves are under way to find a new operator.

The closure means customers have to walk a mile to the nearest post offices in Whitehawk and St James's Street.

Mukesh Patel, who has run a convenience store across the road for 11 years, said: "I have lost a lot of business already since the post office closed.

"It used to be busy because people would get their pension and cash their giro and come in here for milk, bread, newspapers, chocolate, cigarettes - things like that.

"It is not a lot of money but when 20 or 30 people come in it adds up. Now the post office is closed, the street is dead.

"I have to pay my bills at Whitehawk because there is nowhere to park at St James's Street but I don't like having to walk around with a bundle of cash in my pocket."

One resident, who did not want to be named, said: "I've got blisters on my feet from walking all the way to St James's Street. It's a real nuisance. There was a couple in there who were brilliant but they disappeared overnight."

Trader Cliff Faires said: "The residents and businesses are at a total loss. You can't drive to St James's Street as there is nowhere to park and at Whitehawk it is so small you have to queue on the pavement and wait up to 30 minutes.

"With a major hospital in the area, you would think a post office would be paramount."

A spokesman for Royal Mail said: "The sub-postmaster was taken ill suddenly and until we find a replacement we cannot open the post office.

"We are seeking to open it as quickly as possible and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.

"We can confirm the sub-postmaster owns the building and we have had no indication that he wants to withdraw it as a post office."