MP Matthew Taylor has condemned the news that three post offices in Truro and St Austell area are to close.

The Truro and St Austell MP, condemned the decision, voicing his concern at the very short consultation period and expressing disappointment that the views of local constituents had been ignored.

Hendra and Highertown post offices in Truro and Mount Charles post office in St Austell, are now all set for closure - Hendra and Highertown branches on February 23 and Mount Charles on February 24.

Paul Simmonds, Post Office Ltd head of area said: "We have not taken this decision lightly. It followed extremely detailed research into the proposals and careful consideration of the issues raised by customers and community representatives.

"We firmly believe the Truro and St Austell area will be well served by Post Office branches. We ask customers to continue to use Post Office services."

The Post Office says the closures will help improve the viability of the remaining branches, providing valuable extra business and allowing them to plan for a more secure future.

It says it is maintaining its commitment that 95 per cent of customers in urban areas will continue to have access to a Post Office branch within a mile.

"This news is very disappointing indeed," said Mr Taylor, "particularly when so many of my constituents made it clear they were strongly opposed to the Mount Charles, Hendra and Highertown closures.

"But frankly, the fact this announcement has come so soon after the end of the consultation period leads me to suspect that the decision, to all intents and purposes, was probably taken in advance.

"Appeals both from the Liberal Democrats and from the general public for the consultation to be extended were ignored. What's more, it was set during the Christmas and New Year period - the worst possible time since inevitably it was difficult for people to respond in time.

"These closures are just the latest in a long-standing series of closures under both Conservative and Labour Governments. I think ministers fail to recognise that these local post offices are vital for many people who have difficulty getting about - especially for pensioners and disabled people who often rely on their local post office for collecting pensions and benefits."

The move follows six weeks' public consultation by Post Office Ltd concerning the branches in the Truro and St Austell constituency.

The decision has been made to permanently close the Hendra, Highertown and Mount Charles branches.

Post Office Ltd says the changes are part of a programme to create a sustainable post office network, at a time of falling revenue, changing lifestyles and the introduction of direct payment of benefits.