COUNCILLORS have expressed dismay at plans to close two post offices in Darlington.

Faverdale Post Office, in Sandriggs, and North End Post Office, in North Road, are likely to close before the end of the year under national restructuring plans.

Residents are to be consulted before a final decision is made but both branch sub-postmasters agree with the proposals. The news follows the closure of Firthmoor post office earlier this year.

Ward councillors said last night that closure would cause problems for elderly residents.

Cockerton East councillor Don Bristow said he planned to hold a meeting to get views about Faverdale Post Office.

"I have asked people for comments and I'm sure I will get a reaction.

"The handful of people I've spoken to so far said it would inconvenience them if it shut.

"It's particularly going to affect older people."

He said it was always sad to see a local post office close. "It isn't just stamps and pensions, it's part of the community as well."

North Road councillor Bill Holmes said he was unaware of the proposals to shut North End Post Office.

"I don't think any smaller post office should close. The older population need them near where they live. I would be very disappointed if it closed."

David Mellows-Facer, head of area for the Post Office Limited, said too many post office branches were competing for business in Darlington.

"Many sub-postmasters will no longer have viable businesses unless changes are made," he said.

"Having met with the sub-postmasters from the two branches and also with other local sub-postmasters, we have concluded that if these branches were to permanently close, it would improve the long-term prospects of the other branches in the area."

He said more than 95 per cent of customers would still live within a mile of a local post office and that Harrowgate Hill, Springfield, Cockerton and Branksome post office branches and the town's central branch in Crown Street would be geared to cope with extra customers.

To respond to the proposals write to Mr Mellows-Facer by October 16 at the National Consultation Team, PO Box 641, St Albans, AL1 5XN.