A town of 29,000 people is in danger of losing its only central post office.

In June retailer Forbuoys will close the post office counter at its branch in London Road, East Grinstead, leaving the town with only three small branches on its outskirts.

Chris Rolley, clerk at East Grinstead Town Council, has written to the company and to the Post Office, demanding something is done to find a replacement.

He said: "It would be terrible to lose our only post office. The town would not be able to function without one. It's not just buying stamps, there are other places where people can do that. There are so many other services like driving licences and passports that people need it for."

The council campaigned against the closure of the main post office at the corner of Queens Road and London Road in 1995 and the closure of three sub-post offices in 2003.

Nicholas Soames, MP for Mid Sussex, said: "Closure would be really bad news. It is unthinkable not to have proper facilities in East Grinstead and I look to Royal Mail to secure the interests of my constituents.

"West Sussex has one of the highest elderly populations in the country and East Grinstead is targeted for huge growth. This service must be retained."

A Post Office spokeswoman said it was likely another operator would come forward before the June deadline as the branch was busy and offered a good business opportunity.