A timetable of Port Office closures in Oxfordshire has been drawn up with the first 16 shutting within days.

A total of 22 branches in the county will go under plans to shut 2,500 nationwide by the end of 2008.

Six branches will cease trading on Thursday with the rest shutting their doors at points up until 11 June.

The Post Office said 291 branches would remain open across Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire and 18 "outreach" services would replace some branches.

Oxfordshire branches agreed closures Begbrook - 5 June Dalton Barracks - 5 June Fyfield - 5 June Grimsbury, Banbury - 5 June King's End - 5 June Orchard Way, Banbury - 5 June Combe - 9 June Upton - 9 June Farmoor - 10 June Grandpont, Oxford - 10 June Stanton St John - 10 June Wolvercote, Godstow Road - 10 June Wytham - 10 June Ardington - 11 June Childrey - 11 June Iffley - 11 June

The closure dates for the other six post offices in Oxfordshire are yet to be decided.

Mark Partington, Post Office's network development manager for Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire, said: "These are difficult decisions which have not been taken lightly.

"We believe the plan offers our customers across Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire the best prospect for a sustainable network in the future."

The outreach service involves a mobile post office visiting an area at set times, or a service within community centres, local shops or a home phone service.



