Proposals to close a series of post office branches are going ahead despite campaigns to save them.

Members of Brighton and Hove City Council have unanimously agreed to a motion condemning plans to shut 16 post offices.

The council received many petitions against closures of branches such as those in Mile Oak, Mackie Avenue, Patcham, and Hampton Place, Brighton.

But the Post Office is carrying on apart from improvements to some remaining branches.

A spokesman said: "We believe the area to be well served by local post office branches."

Deputy council leader Sue John said the response was extremely disappointing.

She said: "I think it is extremely regrettable public consultation seems to have taken place at the end rather than the beginning of the process and at a time when many decisions have been rendered virtually irreversible."

Mid Sussex MP Nicholas Soames has also written to the Government after it was revealed Post Office Ltd wants to shut down branches in High Street, Lingfield Road and North End in East Grinstead and Queens Road and Sunte Avenue in Haywards Heath.

It says it can no longer afford to keep all 23 Mid Sussex branches open following losses of £194 million last year.

In a letter to Stephen Timms, minister of state at the Department of Trade and Industry, he said: "The Government regards it as most important people have good access to postal and Government services and is committed to doing all we can to ensure a viable postal network for the future.

"In the light of this statement, would you not agree the Post Office is flying in the face of the Government's wishes by these proposals, which threaten to undermine the quality of life of many elderly residents in my constituency?"

Plans to close four more branches in and around Crawley were announced just before Christmas.