Loyal customers were sad to see the blinds of a 102-year-old Willesden post office come down this week for the last time.

The Walm Lane branch has seen many changes since it first opened on September 1, 1906 - including times when people sent telegrams and when a bank was also housed in the building.

But it was finally closed on Tuesday at 1pm by its two postmasters, Tix Ruparelia and his cousin Rex.

The office was the victim of Post Office Ltd's decision in May to close 162 branches across London.

The pair, who have managed the office for 16 years, were disappointed with the decision and explained the thing they would miss most would be their customers.

Tix said: "It's a huge loss for the community. This post office has stood here for more than 100 years and I have worked here for 16 of them.

"I have grown up around here and I know a lot of people use it. The community has lost a good service."

Tix and Rex now have the task of finding a new job to support their families, while neighbours will have to find a new branch to carry out important tasks.

Tix said: "Unfortunately Post Office Ltd has to close down the office in Walm Lane along with others because it hasn't got enough money to keep them open.

"It's sad but it is just part of life. These things happen and we have to move on. I will be taking a long holiday and then seeing what is on the horizon."

He is also encouraging people to carry out jobs usually done in the post office on the internet. He said: "We don't need post offices as much any more and the internet is the future. It is a shame, because it means fewer and fewer people are letter writing, but that is just the way the world is now. People need to embrace the future. I just hope the more vulnerable people will be okay."

The Observer's Save Our Post Offices campaign encouraged read-ers to take part in the official consultation process, and more than 500 people wrote to the newspaper expressing their support.

We sent the objections to Post Office Ltd, but despite the massive public outcry five other post offices were also earmarked for closure.

People wanting to use a post office in the area will now have to travel half a mile to a branch in Willesden High Road.

Ann Hunter, 65, of Walm Lane, collected money from neighbours and presented the owners with a surprise cake to thank them for their service.

She said: "All of us wanted to thank them for their hard work in the community. We think they have been marvellous. We are all disappointed the branch is going and we are against the planned closures."