SEVEN district post offices in Bolton face the axe under new cost-cutting proposals.

Bosses at Post Office Ltd made the announcement yesterday and have launched a six-week consultation period.

If the proposals go ahead, the number of Post Office branches in the borough would fall from 40 to 33.

Those at risk of closure are in Astley Bridge, Tonge Moor, Morris Green, Farnworth, Westhoughton and Heaton.

Richard Lynds, Post Office Ltd's network development manager for the North-west, said: "Taking the decision to close any Post Office branch is always very difficult and we know it will cause concern to many of our customers.

"We believe these proposals offer the best prospect for a sustainable way forward for Post Office services in this area."

Post Office chiefs yesterday announced a list of 67 branches earmarked for closure across Greater Manchester and High Peak. They claim that under the proposals, 99.2 per cent of the area's population will see no change or remain within one mile of a post office.

The post offices under threat in Bolton are: Astley Bridge post office in Blackburn Road; Ainsworth Lane post office in Entwistle Street, Tonge Moor; Morris Green post office in Morris Green Lane; Moses Gate post office in Egerton Street, Farnworth; Daisy Hill post office in Leigh Road, Westhoughton; Hart Common post office in Wigan Road, Westhoughton and Higher Chorley Old Road post office in Chorley Old Road, Heaton.

A six-week consultation period started yesterday to give people their say on the proposals.

It is not designed to debate whether branches should close but to ensure Post Office Limited has all the information it needs to make informed decisions.

Mr Lynds said: "We want to ensure that everyone who uses, relies on, or has any concern with Post Office services is both fully aware of the proposed changes and able to give views on them."

Bolton's MPs say the number of closures could have been higher and are keen to get feedback.

MP Brian Iddon, who represents Bolton South East, said: "I am disappointed that any post offices are going but I expected worse.

"I have spoken to the postmasters for Morris Green and Moses Gate and will await what my constituents and the ward councillors think."

Bolton North East MP, David Crausby, said: "I want to know what the postmasters think and the public are very important too.

"Whether we fight the closures will depend on the feedback."

The Government undertook a 12-week national consultation before deciding to reduce the UK's post office network by up to 2,500 from 14,000.

Bolton lost 14 post offices during closures in 2004.

People can write to Richard Lynds, National Consultation Team, Freepost Consultation Team, email consultation@postoffice.co.uk or contact 08457 223344 to put their views forward.

Feedback needs to be submitted by July 21.

  • Five Bury post offices have been earmarked for closure. They are Elton in Crostons Road, Bury; Greenmount in Holcombe Road, Greenmount; Limefield in Walmersley Road, Bury; Rochdale Road in Rochdale Road, Bury; and Water Lane in Ainsworth Road, Radcliffe,