Three post offices in Colchester have been earmarked for closure under Goverment plans, it has been revealed.

The Government has charged the Post Office with closing up to 2,500 branches in the UK.

The Gazette has found out details of which offices in Colchester are facing the axe.

The post offices facing closure are those in Harwich Road, Parsons Heath; Pownall Crescent, Berechurch; and North Station Road.

The announcement - which is due to made officially tomorrow - has met with an angry reaction from Colchester MP Bob Russell, who said the move "flew in the face of ideas of a sustainable community".

The post office in Berechurch is near the Garrison, where 2,500 new homes are currently being built.

The Government argues four million fewer people are using Britain's 14,000 post offices each week than two years ago, and losses have risen from £2 million a week in 2005 to £4 million a week last year.

The Post Office's programme will involve an average of four closures in every parliamentary constituency, with all closures taking place next year.

There will be a six-week consultation process before final decisions are made.

Post offices escaping proposed closure are: Colchester town; Blackheath; Fiveways in Blackberry Road, Stanway; Greenstead; Harwich Road; High Woods; the Co-op in Long Wyre Street; Old Heath; Prettygate; Shrub End; St John's; St Michael's and London Road, Copford.

A spokesman for Postwatch, the watchdog for postal services, said the argument had been accepted that post offices were being used less.

She added: "If a certain number of post offices have to go, let's try to make sure we get planned closures and we get postal provision within an area.

"We must also make sure the public know what is happening, and how they can put their thoughts and comments in."