A public consultation on the possible relocation of Dartford Post Office has been opened.

The store, in Hythe Street, is set to move to the nearby WHSmith in High Street.

MP Gareth Johnson has said he has "real concerns" about the plans, which would see a reduction in services.

Under the proposals, customers will not be able to renew their driving license or apply for a Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence at the new branch.

It would not have a cash machine, but would benefit from increased opening hours between 10am and 2pm on Sundays.

Other services, including banking, foreign exchange and online shopping collections and returns, will remain the same.

The consultation, which opened yesterday, will run until Wednesday, March 20, with the new store set to open in June this year.

Mr Johnson said: "The availability of services on a Sunday is to be welcomed but I have real concerns over the ability of the WHSmiths store to cope with the number of people in Dartford who rely on postal services.

"The store seems too small to me to be able to accommodate the demand we currently see at the existing post office.

"We should also see the range of services increasing not decreasing. That is surely in the interests of both the post office and its customers."

Post Office’s network and sales director Roger Gale said: "The vast majority of our 11,500 post offices, large and small, are successfully operated on a franchise basis with retail partners.

"We believe this is the best approach to keeping post offices in main shopping locations and at the heart of communities."

To take part in the consultation, visit postofficeviews.co.uk or email comments@postoffice.co.uk