Avebury Post Office and Stores is likely to close later this year as the village suffers a triple blow.

Kennet District Council is planning to close its Tourist Information Centre housed uniquely in the village chapel and this week families were stunned to learn that Avebury School is to close.

Dick and Gilda Stannard, who have run the post office stores for 29 years, and previously West Overton Post Office Stores as well, retire in September.

Mr Stannard said English Heritage had still not decided if the lease on the shop in the High Street would be renewed.

He said: "We still have not heard if this is going to be one of the further 250,000 post offices the Government is planning to shut down.

"I suspect English Heritage is hanging on to see which post offices will be closing."

The post office is the only shop in Avebury selling provisions and a range of confectionery and soft drinks for villagers and visitors alike. The village has two other shops: Avebury Antiques and the Henge Shop that sells gifts and books.

Gretchen Rawlins, district councillor for Avebury, said the village would be left with just a pub and a church.

She said she had received a letter informing her the school would close at the end of the term.

Coun Rawlins said she did not know what the school or site would become.

"I have no idea because it belongs to the church because it is a church school," she said.

"There have been all sorts of rumours about what the school site could be used for."

She said it would be difficult to oppose the closure of the school because of the dwindling number of pupils, down to less than 20 from 100 or more in the school's heyday.

"I think it has become unsustainable because of the falling numbers," said Coun Rawlins, who is also the parish council clerk.

"What kept the school going in recent years was the number of parents who brought in their children from outlying areas.

"When the first whiff of a problem arose they took their children away."

Parents with children at Kennet Valley School have received letters this week telling them that some of the Avebury children will be absorbed into their school.

Some of the Avebury children are also expected to go to Broad Hinton School.