Post Office managers last night agreed to face protesters fighting plans to close four branches in Eastbourne.

They have also promised to extend consultation on all possible branch closures until the middle of next month to allow more public feedback.

A delegation travelled from Sussex to London yesterday to question Post Office bosses on the controversial proposals.

The three branches proposed for closure in December under the company's cost-cutting plans are in Avard Crescent, Church Street and Compton Street.

The announcement was made amid public anger over plans to close the Upperton Road branch, one of Eastbourne's busiest.

It has meant that, with the closure of the Whitley Road branch, post office managers will have shut five out of 19 branches in Eastbourne.

Demonstrations, letters and petitions containing thousands of signatures have been prepared. Yesterday a delegation led by Eastbourne Tory MP Nigel Waterson vented their anger at postal bosses.

At the meeting, Post Office managers agreed to extend the consultation period for all the proposed closures to October 16, giving more time for people to air their views.

They also agreed to attend a public meeting in Eastbourne and come face-to-face with post office users to explain their actions.

Mr Waterson said: "We had a very frank exchange of views that left them in absolutely no doubt about the strength of feeling in Eastbourne.

"We made it clear that shutting five out of 19 branches in the town is out of the question. We also questioned the business case for closing down Upperton Road."

The closure plans have provoked cross-party condemnation and led to fears that many small businesses will close.

Up to 60 per cent of small companies questioned by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) believe their businesses will collapse if the closures go ahead.

Lib Dem parliamentary spokesman Stephen Lloyd said: "I am glad the Post Office has at least seen enough sense to recognise the strength of feeling in the town."

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

"Having met with the sub-postmasters of these branches and also with other local sub-postmasters, we have concluded that if the proposed branches were to close it would improve the long-term prospects of the other branches in the area.

"In particular, we have made sure that the Old Town branch, Green Street branch, the Terminus Road branch and the Meads branch would be fully geared up to cope with extra customers should the closures go ahead."