A QUESTION mark hangs over the future of Ferndown post office after it shut up shop following the dismissal of its sub-postmistress.

The family-run business in Penny’s Walk held a protest on Thursday against the sacking of Rachpal Athwal from the town’s only post office following an appeal.

Her husband Val said: “They have said the reason for the dismissal is because there is an unexplained entry that appeared on a dormant stock unit.

“This can be explained either by a computer glitch or human transaction.

“It doesn’t make sense. They have not produced any evidence to back this up at all.”

Rachpal added: “We have had enough.

“We travel every day from Southampton to run our business for the community.

“We love the people here and it breaks our hearts to have to inconvenience them.

“All I want to do is get back to the job I love.”

Mark Baker, executive officer with the National Federation of Sub-postmasters, said: “I am aghast at the way this case has unfolded since the appeal was launched.

“There are talks continuing at the moment but as yet we cannot say for sure when or if it will reopen.”

Customers pledged their support by signing a petition, which Mr Athwal plans to take to Downing Street next week as well as making phone calls to head office. Janet Reeves, who has been using the post office for the past 10 years, said: “In all our time coming here I have never seen the post office closed.

“I can’t imagine how others are going to cope.

“The next nearest large one would probably be Wimborne.”

A spokesperson for Post Office Limited said: “Our first priority is to ensure that a Post Office service is available to local customers and that the branch can reopen.

“We have indicated to Mrs Athwal that we will review a full report of the case and will respond to her concerns as soon as possible.”