FORTY to 50 sub-post offices are expected to close in Worcestershire and Herefordshire by the end of next year as part of the Government's plan to slim down the network.

Half of these will be in towns and cities if Worcestershire follows the national trend, says Peter Luff, Mid-Worcestershire MP and chairman of the trade and industry select committee, which has been monitoring the issue.

Ahead of an official announcement, Trade and Industry Secretary Alistair Darling told the BBC: "If we reduce the network by 2,500 branches, backed by the £1.5 billion investment from Government, we can have a sustainable network."

But Mr Luff said: "I do not think enough has been done to find a viable future for post offices. The Government has taken business away to make them unviable and then blamed them for being unviable."

He said detailed plans would be drawn up and there would be a six-week consultation period - although his committee has called for a 12-week one.

All of the closures are due to be completed by the end of 2008.

County councillor Tom Wells, who spearheaded a campaign against closures in his Powick ward, said the fight would continue.

He said: "The Government has failed to recognise the vital role the post office plays in communities. It is another nail in the coffin for village communities."