Thirty-nine post offices to close

The government said the current network is unsustainable

Thirty-nine post offices across Merseyside and Cheshire are to close.

But two branches previously marked for closure have been reprieved and the future of two others is being looked at again, after a six-week consultation.

The closures were first announced in November as part of wider plans to reduce the number of branches nationally by up to 2,500.

Post Office bosses claim the plans mean that 99% of the population will be within a mile of an alternative branch.

The government says the current network of post offices is unsustainable, and is losing millions of pounds a week.

Originally 42 post offices in the area were told they would be shutting, but after the public consultation two have been spared - the branches at Brook Street in Chester and Liverpool University.

These are difficult decisions which have not been taken lightly Jane Briginshaw, The Post Office

Other post offices in Mill Street in Dingle and Soho Street near the city centre in Liverpool are both facing further reviews.

Final decisions about these branches will be announced soon.

Meanwhile, consultations are to begin over plans to close two branches in Southport and one in Ormskirk in West Lancashire.

Jane Briginshaw from The Post Office said: "These are difficult decisions which have not been taken lightly.

"We have considered very carefully all the comments made during the public consultation.

"We believe that the amended plan announced today offers our customers in this area the best prospect for a sustainable network in the future."