The relocation of a post office to inside a retail giant received a muted welcome and served as a reminder over what has been lost.

This week saw Staines join the increasingly lengthening list of towns to have its post office move inside a WH Smith branch.

This, coupled with the loss of two more offices in Sunbury and Ashford, meant customers were "less than thrilled" with the new arrangements, as the reduced number of post offices means more time spent queuing.

Julia Early, 45, of Staines, said: "There are only three counters here at the new post office whereas at the old office there were six. But it looks all right - I didn't realise it would be this open.

"The services offered will be the same but it is a shame to lose the old office because it was a lovely old building."

Ashford resident Sandra Cullen, 61, added: "This is the first time I have visited it. I have come all the way from Ashford because they have closed all the ones there, so I'm less than thrilled with that.

"It is really bad now because I have got to get a bus into Staines to use the post office.

"It is probably just a way of getting people into WH Smith and spending more money."

The postmaster could not speak to the Staines Guardian and referred us to WH Smith.

A company spokesman said: "Obviously it is still early days, with the post office not having been open a week.

"However, customer feedback so far has been very positive.

"In particular customers have commented on the high standard of service, longer opening hours and the more modern and bright environment."

The mayor of Spelthorne, Councillor Andrew Hirst, was on hand to officially open the post office on Thursday, February 7.