POST Office bosses have dropped bombshell news that eight more branches in Fareham and Gosport are to be axed.

It makes a total of 14 post office branches in the two boroughs that have announced plans to close in just over a year.

And it has sparked fears among elderly residents across the area that they will not have access to vital services, such as pensions and benefit payments.

The axe is now hanging over the Sarisbury Green branch in Bridge Road, Sarisbury, the Leith Avenue branch in Portsdown Road, the Gosport Road branch in Gosport Road and the HMS Collingwood branch in Newgate Lane, all in the Fareham area.

Under threat in Gosport are the Camden Town branch in Ann's Hill Road, the Gomer branch in Nimrod Drive, the Haslar Hospital branch in Haslar Road and the Stoke Road branch.

Former shipyard worker Richard Steadman, 67, of Portsdown Road said: "I just don't know where I'll go to get my pension after this. It's so useful having somewhere where you can get all your business done at once, so close to home. I'm not very good on my feet and I really don't know if I could make it anywhere else."

Mike Pengelly, chairman of the Sarisbury Residents' Association, said residents would be "miffed" if the Bridge Road office was to close. He suggested that some residents may decide to petition against the plans.

"I've never been in that post office and not had to queue," he added. "How they can say it's not busy enough, I don't know.

"People would have to go up to Park Gate but that does not do car tax and it's difficult to park."

A spokesman for the Post Office said: "There are simply not enough customers for all the Post Office branches to stay in business. We are concentrating our services on fewer branches.

"At this stage no decision has been made and we are in a six-week consultation process with MPs, councillors and local people. If anyone has a view to express I would urge them to let us know."

Gary Hepburn, from the Post Office watchdog Postwatch, is currently assessing the impact of the scheme and he wants to hear from local people.

He said: "It is vital that customers are given the opportunity to voice their opinions and that is why we are urging those who may be affected to contact us."

To get your views taken into account call 08456 013265.