POST Offices in County Durham and Tyne and Wear could close as part of plans to safeguard nearby urban branches.

Following a consultation exercise, it has agreed to close branches in Mount Pleasant, Spennymoor, and in Boldon Colliery, South Tyneside, in October.

David Mellows-Facer, head of area for the Post Office, said: "We have a responsibility to ensure that customers in Spennymoor will continue to have reasonable access to local Post Office products and services.

"Even after any changes are made, well over 95 per cent of customers will still live within a mile of a Post Office branch.

"Having met with the subpostmaster from this branch and also with other local subpostmasters, we have concluded that if the Mount Pleasant branch was to close, it would improve the long-term prospects of the other branches in the area.

"In particular, we have made sure that the Spennymoor Post Office branch, in Oxford Street, and Tudhoe Colliery Post Office branch, in Attwood Terrace, would be fully geared up to cope with extra customers should the closure go ahead."

He said the same arrangements had been made regarding Boldon Colliery in that Newton Post Office, in East View, and Hedworth Post Office, Jarrow, would be able to cope with additional customers.

The company believes there are too many outlets competing for business in towns and cities and wants to streamline the numbers.

"Proposals to close Post Office branches are not made without considerable research and discussion," said Mr Mellows-Facer.

"We are anxious that customers and all relevant organisations understand our rationale and have the opportunity to give us their views."

The deadline for comments on the proposals is August 21. Anyone wanting to comment is asked to write to the National Consultation Team, PO Box 641, St Albans, AL1 5XN.