Jane Scott, leader of Wiltshire County Council, said the move would mean nearly one in 10 people in the county losing their local post office.

In a statement she said the closures would hit the most vulnerable and most isolated people worst.

The Post Office also plans to replace 11 branches with outreach services.

'Disproportionate impact'

Ms Scott said: "This is a bad decision for Wiltshire and flies in the face of what local people want. These cuts will have a disproportionate impact on the most vulnerable and isolated people in the county.

"We have strongly campaigned for the Post Office to look again at its proposals and we are deeply disappointed they have chosen to ignore the wishes of people in Wiltshire."

Recently the Post Office named some 33 branches due to shut across west Berkshire and Wiltshire.

The closures were first announced in December as part of wider plans to reduce the number of branches nationally by up to 2,500.

A further six branches earmarked for closure will be reviewed by the Post Office watchdog, Postwatch, and eight will be replaced by outreach services.

The first branch closures are scheduled to start as early as April.