THE Post Office has announced plans to close two of its branches in Maidstone and wants to hear customers' views.

The offices, in Tonbridge Road and Bower Place, could shut in November to shake up what the Post Office calls too many urban branches chasing too few customers.

The sub-postmasters at both branches have expressed the wish that they should close, according to the business.

Drew McBride, head of the South East area, said: "We have a responsibility to ensure that customers in Maidstone will continue to have reasonable access to local Post Office products and services.

"Even after any changes are made, well over 95 per cent of customers will still live within a mile of a Post Office branch."

He said: "Having met with the sub-postmasters from Tonbridge Road and Bower Place branches and also with other local sub-postmasters, we have concluded that if Tonbridge Road and Bower Place branches were to close, it would improve the long-term prospects of the other branches in the area."

Offices in Maidstone and Barming would be fully geared up to cope with extra customers, he said.

People are invited to write to Mr McBride with their views by Friday, September 19, at National Consultation Team, PO Box 641, St Albans AL1 5XN.