The Post Office, efficient and profitable only a few years ago, is now a shambolic, loss-making organisation.

It's losing £500,000 every working day and has decided to close 3,000 sub post offices in towns all over the country to cut costs.

Three of them are in Brighton and it looks as if another two will be in Hove. Their loss will be a great blow to many customers, particularly old people and those without their own transport.

Post Office bosses are looking at this problem from the wrong way round. They are saying that because custom is declining, closures are needed.

Instead, they should be making every effort to boost business at these vital institutions to make them viable and attractive.

Local post offices are often at the heart of neighbourhoods. Close them and the whole community structure will start to crumble.