ROCHESTER'S Royal Mail depot will close early next year with the possible loss of more than 200 jobs.

The company, which lost £1.2 billion last year, says the shutdown is part of a massive shake-up of its distribution network.

The 227 employees work at the South East Distribution Centre in Fortbridge Wood Road. Staff have been offered either voluntary redundancy or relocation to other depots.

A Royal Mail spokesman said while they could not guarantee where the relocations would be, they would endeavour to keep staff in the area.

"We pride ourselves that during our 354 year history no-one has ever been made redundant. It therefore makes sense to redeploy staff to their local area."

The Royal Mail said the closure is part of the government's Postcom programme which allows competitors to set their own prices and delivery routes.