Pensioners may be forced to walk further in future to pick up their concessionary bus passes and railcards after the number of issuing post offices is cut.

The move has come about after the Post Office felt a small number of passes and railcards were being issued at too many sub-post offices in the town.

It has decided to reduce the network from 24 to 14 strategically placed post offices to provide the service.

At present, every post office in the borough can offer the service but this may change at the end of March.

Members of Southend Council's cabinet said they hoped the remaining locations would be placed to get optimal use and they would keep an eye on the situation in the future if it was agreed by the scrutiny committee to see if pensioners are finding particular problems reaching their nearest office.

However, it was pointed out pensioners could still collect their passes, or get someone to collect it for them, from the Civic Centre plus the area housing offices.

All councillors have until February 25 to call in the recommendation for further examination at a future scrutiny committee before it is agreed or sent back to cabinet with amendments for more discussion.

However, there was confusion over why the change has come about - and alos over who requested it.

Post Office Counters spokesman Paul Diggens said the matter had been down to the council to decide.

He said: "It is a matter for the council - they have changed the number of outlets, it was 24, and now it has been reduced to 14. According to our information, the council has changed the number of post offices doing it.

"We do 170 different products and services over main counters - everything from bill payment to council tax.

"In the majority of cases, the authority absorbs the cost, but on this occasion the council has decided to reduce it."

But Southend Council said the item had been considered at the request of the Post Office.

For details of the post offices where the bus passes can be obtained by contacting Southend Council.

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