The future of Didcot's main post office hangs in the balance after the Post Office confirmed it has to move out of the WH Smith store in Broadway.

Speculation about the possible closure of the town centre post office counter has been rife since a public notice, posted several weeks ago, asked for alternative shared premises in the shopping centre.

But a Post Office spokesman said that despite exhaustive enquiries, the search for premises had so far drawn a blank.

The spokesman Floyd Jebson said: "The Post Office has been given notice to quit by WH Smith -- and the post office counter has to vacate the shop by the end of October."

No one was available for comment at WH Smith. But it is understood Didcot is the only branch of the chain in the country with a post office counter, and that it may not fit in with the company's marketing strategy. Mr Jebson said Julie Gregory, Didcot area Post Office manager, has been searching for other premises in the town centre since before Christmas, although there had been no public announcement about the move.

Pensioner Vincenza Orlando, of Wessex Road, Didcot, said: "Like me and my husband, hundreds and hundreds of pensioners use the post office in WH Smith every week or several times a week. It should not move out of the town centre."

Town councillor Capt John Flood said: "As a growing town with a population approaching 25,000, Didcot needs more, not fewer, services."