Rippingale Post Office is one of thousands around the country earmarked for closure and villagers had started a campaign to save the branch. They were due to find out the results of a six-week consultation this Tuesday but MPs were told last week that the Post Office will not make these results public until Tuesday next week.

Now supporters of the Friends of Rippingale Post Office have complained that their 818-strong petition submitted to the Government has not been taken seriously.

Phil Rippingale for Friends of Rippingale Post Office said: “This response is a completely standard letter, simply a copy of last year’s original DTI document.

“It answers none of the questions we raised and demonstrates what a complete sham and waste of time this process has been.

“The 2,320 other communities round the country who’ll soon be facing the same disaster as us should take note. In effect it’s saying: “Go away, the Government’s not interested.”

However the figures contained in the response also give campaigners hope. Data in the Government document outlines why branches have been chosen but Mr Rippingale said: “Rippingale patently doesn’t come into any of those parameters given by Downing Street, so what on earth are we doing in the closure programme in the first place?”

Campaigner Jim Latham hopes that the Post Office is using the delay to inform postmasters like Rippingale’s Simon Deane their future privately.

He said: “I think Simon deserves consideration of hearing directly rather than over the radio.

“We are still hoping for the right outcome. This doesn’t change anything. We think we have put a very good case forward and hope it will be effective.”

A Post Office spokesman said: “We have taken time to consider all the feedback that we have received and we will be making the announcement next week.”