The last letters filtered through two Winchester post offices this week as they closed their doors for the final time.

Hyde Street and Gordon Avenue post offices were forced to shut because new ways of collecting state allowances from high street banks would make them unsustainable, claim the sub-post masters.

But there were mixed feelings about the changes. Brian Gerrard (66), who runs Gordon Avenue post office, in Highcliffe, said: "I'm not pleased to be closing.

"I've given a lifetime of service to the post office. I've been here for 38 years and we're pretty sad about it going.

"We had a post office here since 1934 which my mum used to run and we've had a shop here since 1923, so that's nearly 80 years.

"It's bound to be a loss to the area and it's not going to be good for the old folk here. Once all the pensions have gone over to the bank, it will take about three-quarters of our trade.

"Around here, we're mainly just a paying office for allowances and pensions."

Mr Gerrard will continue to run the grocery shop, he said, but he fears he could lose customers who would normally come in to use the post office.

Meanwhile, John and Anne Tarbuck, who have run the Hyde Street post office for over 30 years, are looking forward to closing their stamp books for good as they approach retirement.

The post office finally winds up today (Friday), although the shop should stay open until the summer.

Mr Tarbuck (73) said: "We've reached that time of our lives when it's time to slow down and I'm looking forward to taking on another challenge. I will be fishing, gardening, catching up on little jobs and generally being a layabout troublemaker."

He said he and his wife (66) had noticed changes over the years, which made it harder to keep the business running.

"There's a lot of pressure in the post office. It changes all the time: you don't know the half of it.

"Out-of-town shopping has really hit us and emails as well. The amount of people coming in has diminished over the years."

However, the Tarbucks do admit that they will miss the banter and the cosy customer chats which have become part of their lives.

On Sunday, a large crowd of well-wishers gathered in Hyde Parish Hall to present the couple with a cheque for £1,600 and the group enjoyed a cake, iced by Kath Hunt.