PEOPLE in Fareham have slammed plans to close a post office in the new year.

As the Daily Echo revealed this week, the Post Office has revealed plans to close the Fareham High Street outlet.

The Post Office said tough commercial decisions had to be made which could include closing the outlet in February.

According to the area manager for south-east Hampshire, Drew Smith, the proposal was part of a national programme of restructuring the service and that access to other outlets had been taken into account when considering the closure.

Town MP Mark Hoban has already voiced his concern.

We asked the people of Fareham for their view.

Margaret Hooker, 70, retired, of Park Gate, Fareham, said: "I think it is ridiculous to close down local services like the sub-post offices. They are vital for the residents who use them."

Nora Court, 62, a cleaner of Highlands Road, Fareham, said: "I would just say hands off our post offices. It is just so handy to have them on street corners like the one on High Street."

Ron Court, 63, retired of Highlands Road, Fareham, said: "I think they are wrong to close local branches - too many people rely on them."

Paul Greep, 33, an army officer of Peak Lane, Fareham, said: "To be honest I never use post offices anyway. If they aren't being used as the one on High Street isn't then what is point of keeping them open."

Ruth Thompson, 27, a full-time mum, of Privett Road, Fareham, said: "It is bad to shut down the local offices. Although they aren't as busy as the town centre ones, people depend on them for local services."

John Everett, 55, a boiler inspector of Warsash Road, Fareham, said: "I don't know why people still use post offices. Like everything else, if they aren't economical then let them go."