This was revealed as county councillors condemned the consultation over closures as a sham, with one of them, Cllr Derek Whittington, describing it as 'a consultation in name only'.

Another, Cllr Carson Albury, said it was 'dictation not consultation'.

Speaking at a meeting of the strategic environmental services select committee, county council leader Cllr Henry Smith said Essex had had some successes in asking the Post Office to open its books on the financial case.

"And they found the economic case wasn't stacking up," he said. "We have asked the Post Office to open the books so that we can make comments about sustainability. Closures may not be making common sense."

Ana Fajado, economic development manager, said the questions had been asked, but the Post Office was saying it couldn't open the books for public consumption because the information would be revealed to its competitors.

"But we are pursuing this further, and will ask for the information we need," said Ms Fajado.

The county council had been looking at how local businesses would be affected, with concerns about the effect on shops.

It appeared that West Sussex was being hit harder by closures than other areas, with the proportion of closures higher.

Cllr Louise Goldsmith cabinet member for the environment and economy, strongly criticised the government's 'disgraceful' closure policy, when it claimed to support the idea of sustainable communities.

"We have to tell the government this is outrageous," she declared.

There was a wonderful little community at Parklands, in Chichester, with shops and a post office. It was now planned to close the post office, and she was also fearful for the future of the shops.

Chairman Cllr Clive Roberts said: "We can make noises about this, but my instinct tells me it won't make any difference."

Cllr Carson Albury said: "We have to fight this, and we have to try. But quite frankly, it is wasting our time and money."