Three thousand post offices in towns and cities across the UK are facing closure, it was claimed today.

Sub-postmasters are considering a restructuring plan which could lead to the closure of the branches.

Post Office executive director Alan Barrie said: "Profitability is reducing to the point where it is increasingly difficult for sub-postmasters to run viable businesses, let along invest in the future."

Forum Response: Communication Workers Union

Billy Hayes, general secretary of the Communication Workers Union, told ePolitix.com: "The Post Office is in trouble precisely because of this sort of attitude. A couple of years ago the postal service was first class because it had a monopoly on letter delivery and it had the best network of retail outlets in the country.

"These were the two major factors that made for a successful public service. It is an act of vandalism to deliberately set out to destroy them both. Yet this is what the Post Office, encouraged by the regulator and supported by the Treasury, is doing."People making decisions about the Post Office seem more intent on destroying it than improving it. It should be expanding to meet public demand. Instead, it is contracting to conform with free-market dogma."