The Post Office was yesterday accused of "ripping the heart" out of local communities in Fife after it was revealed that not one of the 15 post offices earmarked for closure in the Kingdom had been reprieved.

After a six-week consultation exercise, it was confirmed that none had been dropped from the list announced in May and the post offices will start to close in September.

Amongst post offices throughout Fife which are to close is the one in Newton of Falkland.

Fife Council leader Peter Grant said the decision will rip the heart out of communities and described the consultation period as "a complete and utter sham."

Promising that the council will fight "long and hard" to keep essential local services in all the communities affected, he continued, "Fifers are paying more than £200,000 worth of bills a month at the branches which will close thanks to our new payments strategy. How this cannot have been taken into account is staggering.

"This new business, a lifeline for our subpostmasters, was also highlighted by Postwatch Scotland as part of their response to the consultation.

"It is clear Post Office bosses have ignored our views and those of the public whom they are meant to serve and gone ahead with this reckless closure programme.