Mark Blamire will close the counter at Hodder Way Post Office for the final time next Monday.

He is distraught his office is among 11 Fylde branches closing as part of nationwide cuts.

But he has come up with a solution to the loss of business - "affirmative action".

"There's not a lot I can do about it being closed," he said.

"Obviously I'm bitterly disappointed, but life goes on and I've no intention of closing this business.

"We've come up with a number of ideas to keep trade going and we should be alright."

Among ideas to keep business booming are a new lunch-time food service with fresh home made sandwiches, a free-to-use cash machine allowing OAPs to pick up their pensions.

Mr Blamire has also foregone a portion of his compensation package for the closure of his branch to put in a bill payment machine, which when installed, will allow customers to pay TV licenses, household bills and top-up their mobile phones.

Confident his shop will still pull in the punters, Mr Blamire also praised campaigners who tried to keep the post office open and appealed for customers to keep using the shop.

He said: "I'm very grateful for all the letters and kind words. People have been fantastic.

"I hope people will keep coming in and using the shop as normal."

Pauline Macken, who organised a street protest against the branch's closure, said the idea of keeping a bill payment machine and a free cash machine in store was "wonderful news" for pensioners in the area.

"It's fantastic and very community spirited of Mark to be doing this," she said.

"He's trying to help out the pensioners in the area by keeping these services which will allow them to pick up their pensions and pay their bills.

"It should be perfect for the older people around here."

The Gazette's Stand up for Post Offices campaign saw vast support for the 12 branches earmarked for closure across the Fylde coast with more than 9,000 people signed a petition asking Post Office Ltd to reconsider.

Only one branch, Lytham's Warton Street post office, was saved after the public outcry. The other 11 branches will now all be closed by next Monday.