A consumer watchdog has condemned the proposed closure of a town centre post office in Eastbourne.

Postwatch, which monitors postal services across the country, opposes shutting the Upperton Road Post Office.

Dr David Bland, chairman of Postwatch South England, heard residents' concerns at a public meeting at Eastbourne town hall earlier this month.

He said: "The views expressed at the meeting left us in little doubt that there is overwhelming support from the Eastbourne people for keeping a branch in the Upperton Road area."

Dr Bland has added to the tide of opposition by making a formal objection on behalf of Postwatch to Post Office Ltd.

He said there were grave doubts whether a smaller branch in the town would be able to cope with increased demands.

His concerns were echoed by Nigel Waterson, MP for Eastbourne, who accused the Post Office of making Eastbourne a guinea pig in a closure programme.

Post Office bosses announced the closure of the main branch and four sub-post offices earlier this year.

Today The Argus revealed that half the Post Offices in Brighton and Hove are set to be axed in the face of mounting losses.

Five have already closed in the city in the last six months and a further 20 look likely to follow suit.