POSTAL chiefs are to shut 56 post offices across the county.

An official announcement has not yet been confirmed but Kent County Council issued a statement slamming the news.

It is thought that postal bosses have spared just two of the 58 initially earmarked for closure during the recent public consultation.

The Post Office says closures are needed to stem million pound losses but they have been fiercely resisted across Kent.

They are the Hawkhurst post office in west Kent and Cliffsend, near Ramsgate. And in a further blow, Post Office Limited is also reported to be preparing to consult on closing two that were not on its original hitlist.

They are Goodnestone branch at Sadler Hill, near Canterbury, and the Lane End branch at Darenth, Dartford.

Cllr Paul Carter said: "This whole consultation period has been a farce right from the beginning.

"The six-week consultation period was too short, it was further reduced by postal strikes and they then gave themselves just three weeks to review and evaluate the information supplied to them.

"We know that well over 5,000 people sent evidence and responses to Post Office and I don't believe that three weeks gave them enough time to properly digest and take on board that data.

"The fact that only two post office branches have been reprieved suggests to me that they haven't looked at the evidence properly, if at all."

Kent County Council is now calling for Post Office Ltd to identify alternative provision to help the communities most affected by closure.