THOUSANDS of signatures on petitions, placard-waving protesters and MP-backed pleas - and still they could not save their local post offices.

Desperate efforts by communities across Hampshire have failed to stop the Post Office from ploughing ahead and axing scores of branches.

A total of 61 branches will shut from next month.

Today, as it prepares its closure programme, the Post Office was facing criticism for failing to listen to what the people want. Its six-week public consultation has been branded a "farce".

Only one of the 62 post offices that was earmarked for closure back in October has been saved from the chop - Goodworth Clatford Post Office in Andover.

The strength of feeling was clear when petitions were launched up and down the county after the Post Office first announced its proposals to shut 62 branches, leaving just 300 in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Bramshaw Post Office, in the New Forest, mounted a widely supported campaign and collected more than 500 signatures on a petition. It will now close on February 4.

Sub-postmistress Lynne Aggas said last night: "We are devastated. Our customers have been really upset today. They are really shocked that they are losing their post office.

"Because we are so isolated and there are no buses, it is vital for our customers really.

"We had such a lot of support with the petition. Even though the outcome isn't what we wanted, at least we got genuine feedback on how people feel."

Other branches that raised petitions include Testwood in Totton, Fairview Parade in Hythe and Bournemouth Road in Chandler's Ford.

County councillor Alan Dowden collected 50 signatures in less than an hour outside the Chandler's Ford branch.

He said: "That post office is so busy it's untrue. It's more than viable. Elderly people, particularly those without cars, will now be denied the services of a post office."

Sub-postmasters across southern Hampshire refused to speak out about the closures for fear of missing out on compensation and redundancy payouts when their branches close, stating their Post Office bosses had warned them against publicly discussing the issue.

Along with the closures, the Post Office plans to introduce outreach' branches for eight areas in the county, including Romsey and Winchester.

They will see restricted services provided from third-party premises, such as WH Smith, mobile post offices or a home delivery service. These plans are yet to be finalised.

Tim Nickolls, the Post Office's network development manager for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, said: "These are difficult decisions that have not been taken lightly. We have considered very carefully all the comments made during the public consultation.

"We believe that the amended plan offers our customers the best prospect for a sustainable network in the future."