A FIGHT to save post offices from closure has been lost.

Nine branches will be axed next month, the Post Office has confirmed.

The move brings to an end protest campaigns by residents.

A leading politician today slammed the announcement.

Clr Mehboob Khan, leader of Kirklees Council's Labour group, said: "My reaction is one of bitter disappointment.

"A large number of people are going to be severely inconvenienced, particularly older people and young mothers.

"The Post Office has failed to understand the significance of these branches to their communities."

The branches to be axed are Bradley Mills Road, Rawthorpe; Primrose Hill Road, Primrose Hill; Bradford Road, Hillhouse; Wakefield Road, Greenside; Waingate, Berry Brow; Leymoor Road and James Street, both Golcar; Church Street, Rastrick, and Elland Lane, Elland.

A decision has still to be made about a tenth post office at Leeds Road, opposite the McAlpine Stadium.

The Post Office lost £194m last year and its bosses said many branches were taking too little to pay their way.

David Mellows-Facer, Post Office area head, said even with the closures, no-one would be far away from their nearest branch.

He said points made during consultation had been carefully considered.

"Generally, the feedback expressed has centred on the effect of closure on the more elderly customers within the local community and the convenience of nearby alternative branches.

"In response to these concerns, we firmly believe the area to be well served by local post office branches," he said.

The branch at Elland Lane, Elland, will be the first to go - on February 10.

It will be followed by Rawthorpe, Berry Brow and Rastrick on February 12 and Greenside and Hillhouse on February 14.

Final dates for Primrose Hill and the two Golcar branches remain to be confirmed.

But Clr Khan said the Post office needed to re-think its strategy.

"The National Federation of Sub-postmasters have said that the key to keeping post offices open is to modernise and embrace financial services. Today's post offices have not changed much since the 1950s.

"Post Office Ltd need to get them looking right and with the right products. Sadly Post office Ltd have failed to move with the times to modernise their services and diversify in order to meet new challenges and become profitable.

"I am upset that people will suffer due to lack of vision by management of Post Office Ltd."