Residents and councillors battling the proposals say the move would inflict a body blow on the local community and pose a real threat to the long term viability of the shop.

Five branches in Mid Sussex are earmarked for closure – two in Haywards Heath, two in Burgess Hill and one in Chailey.

In both towns supporters have been rallying behind their local postmasters and postmistresses in America Lane and Franklands Village in Haywards Heath and London Road and Lower Church Road in Burgess Hill.

Franklands Ward district and town councillor Clive Chapman said: "The Franklands Village post office is a profitable, well-run branch which is strongly supported by the local community.

"Franklands Village has an ageing population, many of whom rely on being able to access a local post office for basic services.

"There is also real concern that the loss of the post office may undermine the financial viability of the village convenience store."

Cllr Garry Wall said: "The loss of this post office would be a real blow to residents of Franklands Village. It seems absurd that a well used post office branch should be closed and it is important that the social impact of such closures is considered just as much as the financial arguments."

The councillors are working with the postmaster and shop's owner Melvyn McInness, Mid Sussex MP Nicholas Soames and fellow councillors to fight the plans and produce 'a considered and detailed response' to the consultation.

The consultation closes on December 24 and local people are being urged to have their say on the proposals.

* Mid Sussex District Council has stated they are 'gravely concerned' by the Post Office's plans to close five post offices in Mid Sussex and are drawing up a formal response.

Christopher Snowling, Mid Sussex District Council cabinet member for Health and Community, said: "The council has a serious responsibility to care for the sustainability of our communities and especially the interests of the more vulnerable sections of society, such as the elderly, the disabled and those without their own transport, who rely heavily on local post office services.

"It is very regrettable that only six weeks are allowed for consultation on these plans, so we are urging local residents to make their views known both through their district councillors and directly to the Post Office as soon as possible."

Post Office Ltd can be contacted in the following ways: National Consultation Team, Post Office Ltd, FREEPOST CONSULTATION TEAM (no stamp is required), alternatively, email here or telephone: 08457 223344.