FENLAND is set to lose four post offices after the latest round of closures were announced today. Post Office Limited has revealed the names and locations of more than 20 offices in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough that are expected to close in the autumn.

FENLAND is set to lose four post offices after the latest round of closures were announced today.

Post Office Limited has revealed the names and locations of more than 20 offices in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough that are expected to close in the autumn.

Official confirmation came today after the Cambs Times and Wisbech Standard exclusively revealed on Friday that offices in Harecroft Road, Wisbech, St Peter's Road March, Benwick and Christchurch have been earmarked for closure.

The post office in Benwick will be replaced by an outreach service and there are plans to move the sub post office to the Five Alls pub.

Christchurch will be served by an outreach service visiting one or two days a week.

The move has been met with anger by local residents and the postmasters, who have said closing the post offices would be devastating for the local communities.

North East Cambridgeshire MP Malcolm Moss said he will be challenging the changes on behalf of the elderly and those with restricted mobility that depend heavily on their local post offices.

He said: "I feel that some local communities across North East Cambridgeshire will lose their only shop and vulnerable people will lose a service they depended upon.

"Labour ministers have taken no account of the needs of the elderly, of disabled people or of the most disadvantaged - the very ones who will lose out most as this cuts programme rolls out."

Speaking today Eve Maiya who works at her daughter's Harecroft Road Newsagent and post office, said: "We are very upset we are the only post office they are closing in this area and we are the busiest.

"We will carry on fighting and we have the support of the MP Mr Moss who will be visiting us on Friday. We need the general public to support us and write in to the post office and tell them that we need to stay open."

Residents now have a last chance to have their say during a six week local public consultation.

It starts today and all representations should be sent by August 26.

Peter Roberts, Labour's parliamentary candidate for North East Cambridgeshire however slammed the Tories stand on post offices as a sham.

He said: "The government has subsidised the post office network by £2 billion since 1997, with a further £1.7billion up to 2011, the Conservatives did not give the Post Offices any subsidies when in power and have refused to commit to funding the post office network in the future. The Tories offer no alternative and no answer to the lifestyle changes affecting the decline in post office business."

Laura Tarling, network development manager for Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and South Lincolnshire, said: "Taking the decision to close any post office branch is always very difficult and we know will clause concern too many of our customers.

"We want to ensure that everyone who uses, relies on or has any concern with post office services is both fully aware of the proposed changes, and able to give view on them."

Anyone wanting to send their views are asked to write to Laura Tarling, Network Development Manager. C/o National Consultation Team, Freepost Consultation Team.

Or email consultation@postoffice.co.uk or call 08457223344.