Hampshire civic chiefs plan to take over threatened post offices has been dealt blow.

Hampshire County Council wanted information on the financial viability of the 44 post offices being closed in Hampshire.

Council leader Ken Thornber last week sent a Freedom of Information request to Post Office Ltd asking for financial information.

But the Post Office has refused to open its books citing data protection issues and commercial confidentiality.

Cllr Thornber said: "The Post Office reply to my FOI highlights the dilemma councils face. We are aware that post offices can play an integral part in making a village or town a community and as such wish to help, but we need to see the books so we know what the feasibility is of making them self-sustaining businesses.

"We cannot commit ourselves to something when it is not clear what level of financing will be needed."

In a statement the Post Office said: "We have not been able to supply detailed financial information on individual branches as this would include payments made to individual sub-postmasters and constitutes their personal data.