The loss of the five branches would see those large numbers of users forced to make return journeys of up to almost 1.5 miles to their nearest alternative branches. About one in three of them lack cars.

Four of the branches due to be axed also lack a connecting bus service to the next nearest branch, the Post Office Ltd's statistics show.
The organisation's branch access report reveals just how badly the impact of the loss of the Aldwick, Craigweil, Hawthorn Road, South Bersted and Station Road branches will affect their loyal users.

The threat to the popular businesses has outraged large sections of nearby residents. Street protests have been held outside the two Aldwick branches. Petitions are also circulating to ask Post Office Ltd bosses to think again.

The next stage in the protests is a public meeting being held tomorrow, February 29, at 6.30pm at the Regis Centre in Belmont Street.

It has been organised by Bognor's MP, Nick Gibb, who has played a prominent role in the fight to stop any closures. A representative from the postal consumer body, Postwatch, will be present.

Mr Gibb said: "We have to fight these closures. It is unacceptable that we are to lose a third of our post offices. Many people in this area find travelling long distances difficult because they are elderly or do not have a car. I hope as many residents as possible will turn out for the public meeting next Friday, to make it clear to the Post Office Ltd and Royal Mail how strongly we all feel."

District and county councillor Francis Oppler represents residents who use three of the affected branches – Station Road, Hawthorn Road and South Bersted.

"People power is going to be absolutely vital if we are to save our post offices. A petition at South Bersted is going extremely well. I am confident it will have reached 1,000 signatures by tomorrow. People have got to write in to Post Office Ltd as well. We need an avalanche of support for the branches."

Consultation about the closure proposals ends on March 10. A final decision will be made about a month later. The affected branches will shut for good in May.

The busiest of the threatened branches is in Station Road in Bognor town centre. This is used by up to 1,500 people each week to buy stamps, collect pensions and post parcels. The next busiest are the branches at South Bersted and Hawthorn Road. These both serve between 500 and 749 customers weekly. Around 30 per cent of their nearby populations lack cars.

Craigweil's postmasters, Robin and Barbara Doe, deal with some 400 to 499 customers each week at their Barrack Lane business. The Aldwick branch in Aldwick Street has 300 to 399 customers.

This is the only one of the branches set to be axed to have a bus service to the suggested alternative branch - at Rose Green.

The Star 2 service passes the Aldwick branch but the closest stop is 330 yards away. In every case, the alternative branches put forward by the Post Office are much busier than those under threat.

Post Office Ltd says the closures are needed to meet government targets to slim down its national network. Putting forward five branches to be potentially shut has been justified by the 11-strong chain of neighbourhood post offices, plus the main branch in the High Street, which will remain.