The Post Office says it is closing the branches in Bath Street and Ainslie Street to ensure the viability of the other 25 in the area.

John Hutton, Labour MP for Barrow and Furness, was among those who protested at the proposed closures.

Campaigners argued that both branches were well used by the community, and said that the alternatives required customers to cross some of the busiest roads in Cumbria.

But the Post Office maintains that a declining number of customers and increased running costs mean that they must close,

It adds that the phasing out of traditional pension and benefit books in favour of direct payments to bank accounts will mean even less business in the future.

In June, the post office at Beast Banks, Kendal, which provided the inspiration for the children's television series Postman Pat closed because of a lack of business.