THE axe has fallen on all six post offices mapped out for closure in Prestwich and Whitefield, despite a wave of public objection.

After announcing last month that Danesway would definitely close in June, Post Office Ltd has announced that a further five branches will get the chop.

Besses o'th' Barn Post Office, in Bury Old Road, Whitefield and Hillock Post Office, in Albert Place, Whitefield will be the first to close on June 14, followed by Whittaker Lane Post Office, in Whittaker Lane, Prestwich on June 16 and Park Lane Post office, in Park Lane, Whitefield on June 17. Whitefield Post Office, in Bury New Road, will not re-open after it closed temporarily last year.

Together with Chapelfield Post Office, in Stand Lane, Radcliffe, which closes on June 15, the latest announcement means Bury will lose one-third of its post offices within a four week period.

Bury South MP Ivan Lewis, who met with Post Office bosses and industry watchdog Postwatch to pass on the public's concerns, said he was "disappointed" at the news, but vowed to fight on for some provision in Whitefield.

He said: "I am very disappointed that the Post Office has ignored the concerns expressed by affected residents in Prestwich. I will be making further representations once the regeneration of Whitefield has been sorted out. I believe there is a strong case for the opening of a new post office, hopefully as part of the Morrison's development.

"In relation to Whittaker Lane, I now expect the Post Office to honour their commitment to invest in the neighbouring Holyrood Post Office."

Post Office Ltd announced its proposals to close 13 post offices in the borough in February and a public consultation process was launched.

Initially, the company confirmed that five post offices in Bury North would go, but agreed to extend the consultation period for those affected in Bury South.

Post Office managers said the closures were prompted by a decline in the number of customers and the transfer of benefit payments from passbooks to bank accounts by the Department of Works and Pensions.

Head of area Eddie Herbert said: "I still believe that the permanent closure of these six offices is the correct course of action. I am confident that other branches in this constituency are suitably located and can cope with the extra business."