A Worthing post office has been earmarked for closure. The branch in South Farm Road could be shut down as early as December.

At present, the Post Office is reviewing its 8,500 urban branches around England and three - in Sompting Road and Crabtree Lane, Lancing, and Busticle Lane, Sompting - will shut on October 21.

Worthing West MP Peter Bottomley blamed the continual closures on the Government's decision to pay benefits, pensions and some tax credits directly into people's bank accounts, taking business away from Post Office branches.

He said: "I think there are too many of these closure proposals, those in a position of authority ought to consider the point of view of an elderly or disabled person who requires access to a post office.

"It's all right for someone like me who is not retired and quite fit to get to a post office. I can walk and often have a car but the less mobile who don't have a car depend on them being close by.

"The Post Office is always saying it has to streamline but what actually happened was the Government decided it could save £400 million in the way it pays pensions and other benefits, the result of that has been the closure of sub-post offices.

"It's the Government's fault - it's the result of financial pressure on the Post Office and the Treasury being weak. A number of people will be really disappointed."

Post Office head of area Drew McBride said customers of the South Farm Road branch, near Worthing High School, will get the opportunity to give their views before the final decision is made.

She said: "Having met with the sub-postmaster from the South Farm Road branch and also with other local sub-postmasters, we have concluded that, if it closed, it would improve long-term prospects of the other branches in the area.

"In particular, we have made sure that the Parade branch in Broadwater Road, the Broadwater Green branch in Cricketers Parade and the Worthing branch in Chapel Road, would be fully geared up to cope with extra customers should the closure go ahead."

To comment on the proposed closure, write to Drew McBride at National Consultation Team, PO Box 2060, Watford, WD18 8ZW, by November 5.