POOLE'S historic town centre post office will close its doors for good tonight (Wednesday, November 14).

The High Street branch is relocating to WH Smith, 200 yards down the road in the Towngate Centre, and will be open for business in its new home from 9am tomorrow (Thursday,November 15).

In April, the Post Office controversially announced that 70 branches across the country, including Poole and Bournemouth, would be absorbed into WH Smith stores.

The Post Office insisted the measures were necessary as it sought to stem heavy financial losses.

There was strong opposition in Poole to the planned move, with a public protest organised outside the branch and councillors joining residents in voicing their objections.

A petition of 700 signatures against the move was gathered and Poole council voted to oppose the closure.

Cllr Carol Evans, who led the campaign against the move, said the post office was at the heart of the community.

However, Post Office spokesman Richard King told the Daily Echo that nationwide the business had made a £70 million loss in the past financial year.

On the deal with WH Smith, the Post Office's Mike Dalton said: "At a time when we are losing £4 million a week, partnerships such as these enable us to go on offering post office services in the heart of the town."

Although many believe the Poole relocation will lead to a loss of services, the Post Office maintains all the usual services will able available, including banking, car tax and a bureau de change.

There will be six serving positions in the redesigned WH Smith store, with level access to the store and two sets of entrance doors.

The post office will be open from 9am to 5.30pm.

WH Smith say the performance of the relocated branch will be carefully monitored.