EAST Durham councillors have urged Post Office bosses to reconsider their plans to close three branches in Seaham and Horden.

Members of Easington District Council's service delivery scrutiny committee have met representatives from the Post Office to discuss the company's proposals to shut down sub offices in Dawdon, New Seaham and Horden.

The councillors expressed deep concern that the proposals have been drawn up by "people with little or no local knowledge of the areas affected'' and asked for the closures to be reconsidered.

The committee chairman, Councillor Dennis Raine, said the three branches identified for closure were in areas with a high density of elderly and disabled people and those who traditionally had a high degree of dependency on the availability of services provided by the Post Office.

He said: "The committee is concerned that the proposed closures will have a significant adverse effect upon the quality of life and level of amenity enjoyed by some of the more vulnerable sections of the community.

"While the committee acknowledges the business arguments put forward by the representatives of the Post Office, it is felt that the adverse effect upon the social well-being of those local residents within the areas where the Post Office branches are proposed for closure far outweigh the financial concerns of Post Office Ltd."