Post Office officials have announced the final closure dates of a string of branches in East Sussex.

The decision by Post Office Ltd to axe the branches in Hastings and St Leonards provoked widespread fury from customers.

Campaigners, including Hastings and Rye Labour MP Michael Foster, said thousands of objections to the plans were ignored.

The company, which is carrying out a nationwide programme of cuts to halt multi-million pound losses, has now insisted the plans are concrete.

Some branches have already closed but the others - in Clive Vale, Harold Road, Mount Pleasant Road and St Helen's - will shut from October 12 to 14.

Paul Simmonds, Post Office Ltd's head of area, said: "We have carefully considered our original proposals, on an individual branch basis."

Friday September 17, 2004