KINSON post office is unlikely to reopen in its current premises as the search continues for someone to provide services from elsewhere.

Equipment, including safes, scales and counters, has been removed from the Wimborne Road premises.

A Post Office spokesman confirmed the equipment has been taken away from the office and added: "We would like to reassure customers that the decision to suspend services at any of our branches is never taken lightly. We take very seriously any decision to temporarily close a branch, and will only do so when it is warranted."

He said the Post Office is working hard to restore services in Kinson. There have also been no services at the Hambledon Road Post Office in Bournemouth since the death of the postmaster there.

The Post Office is keen to hear from retailers who would consider incorporating a Post Office Local into an existing business.

"We understand how important Post Office services are to people in the area and we are working hard to restore services for these communities as quickly as possible. We have had expressions of interest from retailers to run both these branches" added the spokesman.

Long queues have been reported in other post offices in the town, particularly in Bournemouth town centre and in Southbourne Grove. Signs were displayed in the town centre Post Office, inside WHSmith in Old Christchurch Road, warning that the closure of other branches is having a "massive impact" on the service it provides.

The Post Office spokesman added: "We are sorry for any inconvenience caused to customers by these temporary closures. In the interim there are more than 20 Post Offices within a five mile radius of Bournemouth’s centre where customers can access the wide range of Post Office services."

He urged anyone interested in taking on a Post Office to call 0845 266 8790 or email NTquestions@postoffice.co.uk