Disabled customers are being left out in the cold at a post office - by having to ring a doorbell to be served.

The idea, branded "utterly ridiculous" by an MP, has been put in place because there is no room inside the shop for handicapped people to manoeuvre.

When the Earls Hall Parade post office in Southend was shut down on September 2, customers were advised to use another office on the corner of Prince Avenue and Queen Anne's Drive.

But while those who use wheelchairs, crutches or walking frames can get into the post office, its size and layout makes it difficult for them to turn around and get out again.

Customer Molly Drake, 74, of Hampton Gardens, had problems because she has a temporary cast on her leg.

She said: "I'm disabled at the moment but not permanently. I feel for those who are. I think it's disgraceful."

A spokeswoman for the Post Office said a planning application would be lodged by the sub postmistress for a ramp and handrail to be installed but admitted it might not be in time for new legislation which comes into force on October 1 to ensure disabled access is improved.

However Vinod Patel ,who runs the post office with his sub postmistress wife Minaxi, denied there were any plans for a ramp or handrail.

He said: "The physical size of the post office, that's the difficulty."

MP David Amess said providing a doorbell instead of proper disabled facilities was "utterly ridicuolous".

He said he would look into the matter urgently, adding: "The Post Office hasn't got a clue."