Politicians and residents reacted with anger at the news that 21 Gwent post offices could close.

It is proposed that Newport would lose three post offices, Monmouthshire, Torfaen and Islwyn would lose four each, and Blaenau Gwent would lose six.

The move, part of a cutting of the national post office network, is going out to a six-week consultation and postal chiefs say the vast majority of customers will have the same level of service.

But customers, staff and local politicians have already condemned the proposals.

Sue Main, 49, who has worked at closure-threatened Christchurch Post Office in Newport for 12 years, said she was "horrified and devastated" to learn she was to lose her job.

She said: "The Post Office is the hub of the community and the customers are more like friends.

"When I found out I was in shock."

Owner Helen Kennedy plans to start a petition against the closure.

She said the Christchurch branch, which she has run for two years, is profitable and serves hundreds of customers every week.

Newport East AM John Griffiths said: "I'm very disappointed by the news and I certainly oppose the closures."

Villagers in Mathern and Sudbrook near Chepstow said they were "dismayed" by the proposals.

And the Post Office plans to press ahead with a controversial plan to re-site its main branch in Cwmbran into the town's WH Smith.

People living near Cwmcelyn post office in Blaina, which is on the proposed closure list, said their office is the cornerstone of village life, and its facilities are even more necessary since Lloyds bank closed last year.

Alun Lewis, secretary of the Cwmcelyn Tenants and Residents Association, said: "This is going to be a devastating blow. It means people will have to travel to Blaina or Brynmawr, something that's not easy for older residents to do."

Resident Leslie Edwards added: "A lot of people are going to be very upset about this."

Monmouth MP David Davies called Post Offices a "vital community service" in rural areas like Monmouthshire.

Islwyn AM Irene James said she is "not impressed" by the plans and plans to fight against them.

And Blaenau Gwent AM Trish Law described the latest round of Post Office closures as a "black letter day."