MYSTERY surrounds the closure of a town's main post office until further notice.

Residents in Blackwood are furious they are not being told why the High Street branch has closed.

Post Office managers said they are making every effort to reopen as soon as possible, but they could not say when that would be.

They also did not give any reason why the office had closed, saying it was an "in confidence" matter.

Residents and local councillor Kevin Etheridge say they should be told why the action has been taken.

The nearest sub post offices are now at Cefn Fforest and Fleur-de-Lys, Pontllanfraith and Oakdale, which are all a bus or car ride away.

Gordon Chick, 71, of Pontllanfraith, said: "They should tell people what is wrong - why keep it a secret?"

And 67-year-old Donald Coleman, from Blackwood, who was attempting to pick up his pension, said he would now have to go to Pontllanfraith.

"It is awful for people who cannot walk very well. How are they supposed to get their money?" he said.

Albert Tiley, from William Street, Blackwood, said he had been to the post office four times in the last few days, only to find it closed.

Councillor Etheridge has written a letter of complaint to the Post Office having been told it would be October 11 before it would reopen.

"This is totally unacceptable for my residents and pensioners, collecting pensions and benefits," he said.

"A number of them recently transferred their allowances and pensions from the Bloomfield Road sub office, which was closed six months ago by the wisdom of the Post Office.

"The office serves many thousands of people on a weekly basis."

A Post Office spokesman confirmed the office had been temporarily closed.

"We apologise to customers for any inconvenience caused and can assure them that we are making every effort to reopen the branch as soon as possible," he said.

He said Motor Vehicle Licences can be obtained at the branches located at Oakdale, Bargoed and Fleur-de-Lys and a Bureau de Change is at Ystrad Mynach.