TESCO has been accused of putting profits before the local community after taking the decision to axe two post offices.

The sub post offices at One Stop stores in Thornhill Road, Warminster, and Brook Road, Trowbridge, will close in six months as part of a takeover by Tesco.

The supermarket chain is transforming the shops into Tesco Express stores and is throwing out the post offices to make room for more food and produce.

Tesco, which announced a record £1.6b annual profit last week, has been accused of ignoring the needs of the communities in Trowbridge and Warminster.

District and county councillor Terry Chivers said: "It is very clear to me that in this case Tesco is just putting profit before the local community.

"I would hope as a company it will reconsider its policy of closing these sub post offices, not only in west Wiltshire but across the UK."

West Wiltshire District Council and Wiltshire County Council are to debate the sudden closures at their next meetings.

Tesco bosses have denied the closures are to make the company more money.

A spokesman said: "We know how much the post office means to the local community but we don't have rubber walls in the stores, we can't fit everything we like, it's not about money, it's about not having enough space.

"We have approached individuals, businesses and councils to find a way to relocate the post offices."