USERS of three vandalised post boxes in Trowbridge have reacted angrily to news they might be removed permanently.

The boxes, in Brook Road, Broadmead and James Street were sealed up after being attacked with a sledgehammer.

A spokesman from the Royal Mail said no final decision had been made on the fate of the boxes but several residents said they had been informed by the area post office manager the boxes would be removed and not replaced.

Pete Tilley, 61, of Widbrook Meadow, who runs a domestic cleaning management service from home, said he was very unhappy after being told the box in Brook Road would not be replaced. "We're here in the office all day so it's very important to be able to just send things off. It's always been easy because the post box is round the corner," he said. "They should not lay down and let this happen."

Pensioner Percival Shore, 85, of Christin Court, said: "I think it's a load of rubbish. I live just round the corner and the letterbox is so convenient.

"The vandals have cracked the front of the cast iron box but all they have to do is replace it with metal."

District and town councillor Jeff Osborn said he had spoken to a number of people in the area, especially the elderly, who were worried how far they would have to walk to the nearest post box if the existing ones were taken away.

The nearest box to the ones in Brook Road and Broadmead is at Tesco Express, about half a mile away while the next nearest box to James Street is at the Seymour Road Post Office.

Other residents believe taking the boxes away would just be giving in to the vandals.

Derek Roberts, of Biss Meadow, said: "If true, this is a very negative approach as it means that we have capitulated to the vandals without putting up any resistance and will have lost a valuable local amenity."

The Royal Mail said all three boxes had been subject to vandalism in the past but most residents said they had no recollection of any damage in the past.

Chris Bacon, of Bridge Avenue, said: "I've lived here for nearly 30 years and this is the first time I've known the post box be out of action. I think it's just to cut down the cost of collection.

"I can't walk very far and this issue will just make people use their cars more."

Royal Mail spokesman Sue Dakin said the vandalism had been reported to the police.

"We have taken the boxes out of service while we review the service.

"No final decision has been made but because of because of the vandalism we have to look at the viability of maintaining them. We have to make sure the mail is secure."

Inspector Dave Cullop, of Trowbridge police, said he was aware of the vandalism and it was being investigated.

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