THREE post offices in Swindon will shut by Christmas barring a miracle.

Today, after weeks of speculation, the Evening Advertiser can reveal the branches earmarked for closure.

They are: Ferndale Road, Oxford Road and Clifton Street.

All three are expected to close in November, pending the results of a six-week consultation.

The Post Office says the action is needed to stem huge financial losses.

Of the 16,000 branches in the UK, 2,500 must close if the Post Office is to get back on its feet.

The move will put the Post Office on collision course with many angry customers, who rely on the service to draw benefits.

But bosses claim to have the written consent of all three postmasters and mistresses concerned.

It is understood the trio have recently signed confidential papers authorising closure in return for an undisclosed compensation package.

None would comment when we approached them.

Post Office spokesman Paul Maisey said: "These decisions are not made without considerable research and discussion so we are anxious that customers and all relevant organisations understand our rationale and have the opportunity to give us their views."

"The branches we propose to close are poorly used, have suffered from under investment and many are located in premises that are too small.

"Even after any changes are made, nationally well over 95 per cent of customers will still live within a mile of a Post Office branch."

Following the closures, the Post Office intends to pump more than £36,000 into branches across the area to get them back up to scratch.

South Swindon MP Julia Drown pledged to do everything in her power to prevent the axe falling on the Clifton Street branch, which is in her constituency.

But she acknowledged that the Post Office is facing a crisis.

"There is a real pressure on post office services because less people are using them," she said "There is a limit to how much taxpayers' money can be pumped into them."

Kevin Shoesmith