FIVE post offices in Bury will shut next month as part of a national programme of urban closures, it has been announced.

Post Office Ltd confirmed the closures after a public consultation with customers, MPs and local businesses.

The following branches will close: Bolton Road on May 19, Woolfold on May 20, Hollins on May 22, Nuttall Lane on May 24 and Jericho on May 25. A final decision on the future of a further eight branches in Bury will be announced by Post Office bosses at a later date.

Eddie Herbert, Head of Area, said: "The main concerns were about the effect of the closure on the elderly and the convenience of nearby alternative branches.

"However, having carefully considered all the points raised, I still believe that the permanent closure of these five offices is the correct course of action.

"Proposals to close post offices are not made without considerable research and discussion. Our aim is to safeguard access to a post office for all communities. The harsh reality is that many urban offices are struggling to survive because there are too many branches for the amount of business."

Bury North MP David Chaytor, said: "This is sad news because most people are attached to their local post office. However everyone understands the impact of new technology and people's changing habits have had an impact on the smallest post offices in the area.

"I expressed my concerns some weeks ago and less than a dozen of my constituents contacted me with their views on the branch closures.

"The majority of people opposed the proposals although there was a small number who supported the closures. I did write to the post office to convey the views of my constituents on the closures."

In Bolton, 14 post office branches were closed last year despite a long-running campaign by the Bolton Evening News to keep them open.

More than 3,500 angry readers backed the paper's campaign to keep the branches open.