POST offices in Taunton and Wellington are under specific threat of closure, it was claimed by a "horrified" councillor this week.

The shadow executive councillor for corporate resources at Taunton Deane Borough Council, Cllr Terry Hall, expressed his grave concerns after being briefed on plans to rationalise the post offices in the region.

The plan is to close 2500 of the 14,500 post offices nationally and create 500 outreach facilities. Closures will be conducted on a compulsory, but compensated bases, driven by a combination of access and other criteria.

"I was horrified to learn that such a crucial service to our communities was going to be consolidated in such a manner," said Cllr Hall.

"There is no doubt that a number of post offices in the Taunton Deane area are under specific threat and when the consultation takes place in 2008 it is vital that all local people make their voices heard.

"The only glint of light is the offer to open outreach centres but I believe these are a rouse to get the plan through the consultation process. These facilities could never replace rural post offices."

The rationalisation is a result of the post office losing £4million per week and is required by the Government to get into profit by 2011. The Government has agreed funding of £1.7billion over the next five years during which the restructuring will take place.

A Post Office spokesman said: "At present there is no list of post offices earmarked for closure in the Taunton and Wellington areas. A public consultation will be undertaken sometime in the future and that will be the point we know what will be happening in those areas."