WEST SUSSEX FIGHT BEGINS TO SAVE POST OFFICES

Under the plans, for which a six week consultation process got under way on Tuesday, the Post Office said more than 99 per cent of the area's population will either see no change, or will remain within a mile of a branch.

But councils and MPs in Sussex have already launched campaigns against the move, urging residents to "use or lose" their post office services.

West Sussex County Council promised a "high-profile" campaign, and Mid Sussex District Council said people should keep their local branches busy, and open.

Nine sub-post offices across Worthing, Lancing and Shoreham are under threat of closure, along with one in Washington, another in Slindon, one at Copthorne, four in Mid Sussex and five in Horsham.

They are:Bowness Avenue on Seadown Parade, Sompting, The Parade on Broadwater Road, Worthing, Downlands on Upper Brighton Road, Worthing, Heene Road, Worthing, The Strand, Worthing,Old Shoreham on Upper Shoreham Road, North Lancing on Mill Road, Lancing, South Lancing on South Street, Lancing and West Beach on Beach Green, Shoreham. Also under threat are Washington's post office at the Frankland's Arms, and the post office at Common Road, Copthorne, as well as five on the list for Horsham- North Parade, Queen Street, St Leonards Road, Station Road, Church Street, Warnham.

In Mid Sussex the government is proposing to close four post offices in the towns: Franklands Village and America Lane in Haywards Heath; and London Road (St John's Common) and Lower Church Road in Burgess Hill.

For full story see West Sussex Gazette November 14