War veteran Wally Colburn, of Seaton Road, Hemel Hempstead, branded The Post Office "disgraceful", after he found he couldn't access their new first-floor facilities at WH Smith, also on Marlowes, as his mobility scooter does not fit into the lift provided.

The 94-year-old amputee said: "It's disgraceful. The fact is there's enough room there to have a ground floor post office.

"They have got to do something about it—so many people are going to be disappointed. Not everyone has a computer to send messages to their loved ones.

"I use the post office a lot—I've got relatives all over the world— but now I'm going to have to get a taxi to Watford if I want to use one."

The facilities will be transferred to WH Smith from this Thursday (April 10).

However WH Smith claims that the facilities are more than adequate for their elderly and disabled customers.

A spokesman said: "The lift complies with the Disability Discrimination Act's code of practice.

"Customers with an average size mobility scooter can and do regularly use the lift. For people who use a larger size scooter we provide a wheelchair for and staff are only too happy to help.

"We have public liability insurance and our staff are trained in dealing with disabled customers and will provide reasonable assistance as required.

"We also have a ground floor mobile till that can issue essential post office products."

But Mr Colburn added that he wouldn't trust strangers to move him from his scooter.

He said: "I wouldn't let them. Even if I just move what's left of my leg it hurts. How are they going to handle me? You need trained carers to look after someone like me."

A Post Office spokesman added: "WH Smith is a partner that inspires the same trust and offers the same convenience and customer service as that offered by The Post Office.

"In partnership we will be working together to provide our shared customers with easy access to services and, where possible, to extended opening hours, including trials of Sunday opening."

The move is part of The Post Office's programme of restructuring, which will see up to 2500 branches close nationwide, with around 500 existing shops providing The Post Office's services.

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