Ministers are today accused of conducting a "sham" consultation with the public after confirming controversial plans to close one in six Sussex post offices to stem huge losses.

Customers will be given just six weeks to save their local branch once it has been marked for the chop, the Government has revealed.

Trade and Industry Secretary Alistair Darling said the 14,000-strong branch network could not be maintained because of £4 million-a-week losses, leading to at least 60 closures in Sussex over the next two years.

It is not yet known exactly when the closures will be announced or which of the county's branches will face the axe.

But Post Office Minister Jim Fitzpatrick told The Argus: "Communities will be able to challenge the application of the access criteria during a six week process.

"Post Office Ltd will have to demonstrate they have taken into account local factors, including public transport access and the impact of closures on local economies.

"There is some discretion in the application of criteria. There is no hard and fast rule."

Where communities came up with a viable plan to save a branch, this would be judged "case by case", he added.

The news followed a consultation, which attracted thousands of responses, many from groups representing pensioners, workers and local community groups who opposed such a huge programme of cuts.

Andy Furey, of the Communication Workers Union, said: "This is a devastating blow for millions of people across the UK as post offices are a vital and integral part of society.

"The closures of 2,500 post offices will make life even more difficult for vulnerable people."

Gordon Lishman, director general of Age Concern, said: "We're not convinced that the Government has taken on board the need for postal services to be part of a positive, coherent and sustainable rural strategy."

The Government unveiled a £1.7 billion package, including an annual subsidy of £150 million, to prevent further closures and help the Royal Mail attract new business.

No details of where the cuts will fall were given today but consultations will now be held to identify branches which will close.

Mr Darling said: "The Post Office must plan a proper national network and innovate. To look more at post offices where people are, be it through mobile offices, village halls, community centres or pubs.

"Local people can now play a key part in consultations into the area plans that will be led by the Post Office.

"We are playing our part and will continue to. This balanced package gives the Post Office network the chance to compete."

A Post Office spokesman said: "Post Office Ltd's task now is to look carefully at the strict criteria set by the Government and plan how best to implement them across the country."

The National Pensioners Convention condemned the closures, pointing out that post offices offered a lifeline for millions of older people.

Millie Banerjee, chairwoman of postal Postwatch said: "This will not be a popular decision but there is a broad consensus among those who have been considering the future of post offices that quite severe pruning is necessary if the remaining network is to be sustainable."

Colin Baker, general secretary of the National Federation of SubPostmasters, said: "Today's announcement must be seen as an opportunity to take the first vital steps towards building a post office network that has a future, one that is viable and sustainable. It is time to look forward, not back."

Shadow Trade and Industry Secretary Alan Duncan said: "This confirms many people's worst fears - our Post Office network is about to be decimated. By the time of the next election this Government will have closed over one third of the entire Post Office network."

Nigel Stapleton, chairman of postal regulator Postcomm said: "Steps to secure the long-term sustainability of the Post Office network must now be the priority. The Government's timetable for closures is ambitious and it is vital that, at the same time, post offices are being given the right range of services and products to give them a long term future."

The 800 smallest rural branches reportedly serve just 16 people a week at a cost to the taxpayer of £17 per visit.

Around 1,600 branches serve fewer than 20 customers a day, losing £8 for every transaction.

Nicola O'Reilly, from the National Consumer Council, said: "It is disappointing to see that the Government has only allowed six weeks for local people to be consulted on closures. Local representatives must now be prepared to act quickly to state the case for keeping Post Office services alive in their communities."