MORE than a quarter of urban post offices across Blackpool, Fleetwood and the Fylde are set to close in the latest round of cuts.

A six-week consultation period has been launched to examine the future of 13 post offices in the area, with Post Office bosses claiming they are no long busy enough to stay viable.

The Blackpool North and Fleetwood and Blackpool South constituencies are each to lose five of their 20 offices, while Fylde is to lose five of its 13.

The news has infuriated pensioners, who fear that a vital service is being withdrawn.

Doreen Holt, chairman of Blackpool Pensioners' Pressure Group, said: "I think it is absolutely appalling. The post office is a focal point in the community.

"It's a place where people are noticed -- if someone doesn't go in to collect their pension for a couple of weeks, my local postmaster will tell me so I can go round and check on them.

"People who are elderly or infirm are the last to be consulted on these things."

Eddie Herbert, head of area for the Post Office, said: "The harsh reality is that many urban post offices are struggling to survive because there are too many branches for the amount of business.

"The post offices in these three constituencies have been adversely affected by a declining number of customers, increasing running costs and the recent chances to how benefits are paid with the introduction of direct payments into accounts.

"We have to consider this situation very carefully and have concluded that if these offices were to close, it would improve the long-term prospects of the remaining offices in these constituencies. We are confident they could cope with the extra business."

Post office to close are; Blackpool North and Fleetwood -- Gynn Post Office, Dickson Road; Holmfield Road Post Office; Larkholme Post Office, Fleetwood; Rossall Road Post Office and Talbot Road Post Office.

In Blackpool South -- Lindale Gardens, Squires Gate Lane; Peddlers Lane Post Office, Squires Gate Post Office; Threlfall Road Post Office, Waterloo Road and Woodlands Grove Post Office, Whitegate Drive.

In Fylde -- Headroomgate Post Office, Leach Lane, St Annes; St Andrew's Road South Post Office, St Annes; The Crescent Post Office, St Annes; Whalley Place Post Office, Ansdell and Lea Post Office.

Anyone who would like to make representations on the proposals can write to National Consultation Team, PO Box 2060, Watford, WD18 8ZW.