EVESHAM'S Co-op and main post office is to close next Spring with 34 jobs affected.

The shock announcement was made yesterday afternoon by the Oxford, Swindon & Gloucester Co-operative Society.

The store has not traded profitably for some time, said a spokesman for the society Adrian Barradell.

He said: "The significant increase in retail competition in the town has reinforced the decision and we have no option but to close the store."

The Society, in conjunction with Post Office Ltd, is now actively looking at possible alternative sites for the post office which relocated to the Co-op four years ago from its original building in the north end of the High Street .

As long-term partners operating almost 20 Co-op stores with post offices nationwide, representatives from P.O. Ltd were present when the Co-op broke the news to staff at the Riverside Centre in Evesham on Wednesday.

All Supermarket staff will be offered new positions in Co-op stores in the area including the recently acquired and refurbished Co-op Swift Shop at Davies Road, Evesham.

Head of the area for Post Office Ltd, Paul Maisey said on Wednesday afternoon: "We received this disappointing news earlier today and we will, as a matter of urgency, be considering all options available to us.

"We will work closely with the Co-op over the coming months and explore every avenue possible to find alternative partners and premises in Evesham to maintain main Post Office provision in the town."

Mayor of Evesham Andrew Dyke said: "I am flabbergasted. This is a major blow to Evesham."

Town and district councillor Jo Sandalls, who fought hard to retain a post office presence in the north end of the town, said she would now resurrect the campaign.

"This is an ideal time to get the post office back in its rightful place, preferably at the top end of High Street," she said.

Secretary of the Vale of Evesham Commerce and Tourism Association Hazel Hanlon said: "I am shocked and surprised to hear that the Co-op is closing but pleased if it means that we can get the post office back were it was."

David Hourihan, spokesman for the company Nelson Bakewell, which manages the shopping centre, said it was too early for his firm to comment.