A POSTMASTER says battles to save ten Southampton post offices threatened with closure have come years too late.

John Armstrong blames the proposed closures on an exodus of customers who have chosen to take benefit and pension payments via bank accounts.

He claims some people are protesting because they are lazy and don't want to walk anywhere.

Mr Armstrong, 61, is the postmaster at Woolston Post Office on Bridge Road, Southampton, which is not one of those facing the axe.

His branch has been identified by Post Office chiefs as one that will be upgraded and improved to offer services when other branches are scrapped.

The changes come as part of Post Office cost-cutting measures that aim to shut struggling branches and improve the profits of others.

When we revealed the proposals three weeks ago the news angered residents and city MPs who said vital services were being stripped away. Mr Armstrong says their opposition is three years too late. He believes people should have fought the introduction of direct payment and chosen not to use it.

He says closures are now a good idea and will result in better services at remaining branches. Improvements at the Woolston branch will include two new counters, upgraded disabled access and the extension of opening hours from 9am until 5pm to 8am until 6pm.

He said: "As far as the Post Office is concerned this is a good idea. It's a little unfortunate for certain members of the public but most are mobile these days anyway.

"When post offices were envisaged and when they first started people had nothing more than their own two feet to get around. Today at least every half an hour there is a bus to take you from anywhere in Hampshire. It's not that desperate.

"You do approach change with trepidation but as far as the Post Office is concerned my future is bright.

"Customers had the opportunity more than two years ago to stop all of this change.

"Part of the problem is that now people will have to do something that they had to do years ago - walk. We have become a lazy nation."

The closures will only take place after a public consultation period that ends on November 5. Southampton Test MP Alan Whitehead said people should make their views known. He said: "Saying people ought to walk further to post offices isn't very practical if you can't walk far or if you are elderly or if you are housebound and someone else picks up your pension for you.

"There are some real concerns."

People who will be affected by the possible closures should contact Postwatch on 0845 6013265.