Two community post offices in Lewes are to be closed within the next three months.

They are the Southover branch in Priory Street and St Anne's in Western Road.

Despite the decision having already been made, the Post Office is still embarking on a public consultation exercise.

Town councillors, who were told of the decision earlier this week, immediately decided to write a letter attacking the proposals.

Council clerk Steve Brigden said: "The planning committee deplores the loss of local amenities."

He said councillors were concerned the hilly nature of the town would make it extremely difficult for residents, mainly the elderly, to use other post offices.

Norman Baker, Lib Dem MP for Lewes, has already presented a 10,000-signature petition to Downing Street protesting the closure of another town post office branch in Cliffe High Street.

Speaking about the latest cuts, he said: "I'm deeply disappointed and concerned that we are seeing more post office closures. It seems our pleas are falling on deaf ears. The Post Office is cutting back on its network of branches, deliveries and collections."

Mr Baker said serious questions had to be asked about why the Post Office, once a profit-making organisation, was now struggling.

Post Office Ltd, the company that runs branches across the UK, announced last year it intended to undertake a programme to restructure its network of more than 9,000 urban post office branches.

It said there were too many outlets competing for too little business. Along with increased running costs and concerns about future income, including changes to the way benefits were paid, many sub-postmasters would no longer have viable businesses unless changes were made.

Post Office Ltd carried out a survey of its Lewes staff, asking them their wishes and said the sub-postmasters of Southover and St Anne's agreed their branches should close permanently in June this year.

To air your views about the planned closures, write to Drew McBride, National Consultation team, PO Box 641, St Albans AL1 5XN, by April 11.