A Post Office in Tyldesley could shut later this year as part of a national programme of closures.

More than 9,000 urban branches are to close under a huge reorganisation of the Post Office. Bosses say many towns and cities have too many offices competing for too little business.

The Manchester Road Post Office, on Sale Lane, Tyldesley, is among those affected and it is set to close in June unless there is overwhelming customer objections.

Another post office due to shut its doors is on Manchester Road, Swinton.

It has already been confirmed that Darcy Lever post office in Bolton will close, and branches on Wigan Road and Hindsford Road, both in Atherton, also face closure.

A question mark also hangs over the future of Lostock sub-post office on Heaton Road. The postmaster is leaving and it is not known if a replacement will be found.

Eddie Herbert, a spokesman for post offices in Greater Manchester, said: "The harsh reality is that many urban offices are struggling to survive because there are too many branches for the amount of business.

"Increased running costs and the prospect of even less business once the Department of Works and Pensions transfers benefit payments from passbooks to bank accounts, has prompted subpostmasters to want to leave their businesses."

For residents near Sale Lane, Tyldesley, the nearest post offices are on Mosley Common Road, Worsley, and Johnson Street, Tyldesley.

Swinton Post Office, on Chorley Road, and Pendlebury Post Office, on Bolton Road, are the alternatives for residents in Swinton.

Anyone with concerns about the closure of the Tyldesley or Swinton branches should write to the National Consultation Team, PO Box 641, St Albans, AL1 5XN, before April 29.