UPTON'S MP has criticised Royal Mail for closing a historic post box, which she previously campaigned to protect.

Dismayed residents think the Georgian post box has been ‘blighted’ after it was painted black by Royal Mail.

The post box was blocked and painted after Upton’s post office moved site from Old Street to High Street on September 1.

Harriett Baldwin, MP for West Worcestershire, is ‘deeply saddened’ by the closure and has pledged to contact Royal Mail.

Ms Baldwin said: “I was given assurances by the Royal Mail that this would not happen but it seems that the property owner has requested the end of collections at that site.

“It seems very sad that a post box which has survived in the town for hundreds of years can be cast aside so easily.

“I know that the people of Upton will be frustrated by this news.”

The MP intends to write to Royal Mail in the hope that ‘common sense’ will prevail.

Kate Clark, owner of Sean’s News, said: “There’s concern that there’s no post box in town.

“There are plenty of post boxes round and about. You can post letters with us, you hand them to us and we put them in a bag.

“People have popped stuff in the letter box overnight and we put it in the grey bag in the morning.”

Ms Clerk said she took on the post office responsibilities as no one else in the town wanted to, meaning they could lose a local branch.

The owner of the shop, which celebrates seven years of business next month, says residents have been supportive in the transition period.

“It’s a big responsibility. It’s been a big learning curb for me and the girls. I think we are getting there,” she said.

“The post office coming on board offers my staff more security. We have eight members of staff.”

The new branch will be open seven-days-a-week from 6am to 6pm Monday to Saturday and 6am to 4pm on Sunday.

A Post Office spokesman says the post office will now be open for 36 more hours than before.

Royal Mail want to bring a new post box to a site near Sean’s News as soon as possible.

A spokesman said: “We painted the box black to indicate that it is out of service, but we will be providing ongoing maintenance of the box.

“Where a post box is of local historical interest, it is normal Royal Mail policy to leave it in place.

“We apologise to customers for the inconvenience and would ask them to use alternative posting facilities until this box is installed.”

The spokesman said the post box was closed at the request of the owner of the former post office building.

The sorting office at the previous post office in Old Street has moved to Worcester, although there have been no job losses.

The owner of the former post office in Old Street was unavailable for comment.

Residents can collect undelivered items from Sean’s News.