Public opinion, in some cases supported by compelling arguments against closure, counted for nothing in the end. As predicted, all 14 branches on the Post Office's 'hit list' were duly axed.

This was never going to be the end of the matter, but rather just the first wave in a rolling programme of cuts said to be necessary in order to make the network sustainable.

When and where the axe will fall next time is anyone's guess. But barring a major U-turn, the outlook for many more local post offices has to be bleak, with all the consequences that would mean for the communities they serve.

Faced with this situation, the fact that Nottinghamshire County Council is actively investigating ways it might step in to safeguard branches is welcome news indeed.

The likes of libraries, community resource centres and schools would seem to offer plenty of possibilities in this respect, and could prove extremely popular with the public.

What must not be allowed to happen is for the authority to find itself sucked into any costly subsidy arrangements that would have to be underwritten by council taxpayers.

It's early days yet, of course, but hopefully someone can come up with a formula that can succeed where the Post Office has failed so woefully to look after the interests of its customers.