The stores facing the chop are in lower Seaside Lane, in Easington Colliery, Salter's Lane, in Shotton Colliery and Yoden Road, in Peterlee.

The Yoden Road branch, which is inside a Costcutters store, closed temporarily more than a year ago but its long-term fate is still undecided.



A six-week consultation has now started to decide the fate of more than 80 branches in North East England, with customers' opinions being sought.

Last year the Government and Post Office Limited started a review which could see the closure of 2,500 branches across the country.

">Anger over closure plans>>


At the time, they stated the business was losing £4m a week due to a loss of services and customers.

The Raby Estate, Elwick Road and Hart post offices in Hartlepool have already been chosen for closure after their consultation period came to an end.

Two post offices in Billingham, the Cowpen Estate, in Cowpen Lane, and Wolviston Court, in Clifton Avenue, have also been forced to close along with the branch in Front Street, Hutton Henry.

Adrian Wales, the region's network development manager, 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 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.

"We believe these proposals offer the best prospect for a sustainable way forward for Post Office services in this area, bearing in mind the minimum access criteria and the other factors we have to take into account."

Staff at the under-threat branches in east Durham said they were unable to speak until after the consultation had finished.

Anyone wanting to express their views on the matter are asked to make their representations by August 11, 2008.

To express your views write to: Freepost Consultation Team, email: consultation@postoffice.co.uk or call the Customer Helpline on 08457 22 33 44.