THE head of the Royal Mail has hit back at the criticisms over controversial plans to close up to 16 post offices in Gwent.

In an exclusive interview with the Argus, the national chairman of Royal Mail Ltd, Alan Leighton said the programme of closures is essential to the company's future.

His comments come as Blaenau Gwent residents anxiously wait to hear the outcome of the public consultation on the closure of seven of their post offices.

Mr Leighton said: "The Post Office has two jobs, it has to provide a public service and make money.

"We have to strike a balance between those roles. "The closure programme was necessary to ensure the company could continue to do both."

In October, the announcement of the proposals to close 16 post offices in Gwent was met by angry protests.

In Blaenau Gwent protesters took their fight to the National Assembly and won an extension to their public consultation period.

And recently the government minister with responsibility for post offices, Stephen Timms, said he would investigate the Post Office's public consultation process.

But although Mr Leighton acknowledged the strength of local feeling against the closures and the criticisms levelled at the public consultation process, he felt his company had acted well.

He said: "When you undertake such a large-scale programme you can't expect to get everything right.

"If you get it 80 per cent right then that's good." Dawn Wilcox from Ebbw Vale was one of those who protested against the closures. She was angered by Mr Leighton's comments.

She said: "Not everything has to make mone. Post offices in this area are a key public service and I think the Post Office has lost sight of that." Mr Leighton, was in Newport to visit the city's Parcelforce depot which has recently announced it will be creating more than 25 new jobs. He said he hoped that over the next three to four years with increased banking facilities post offices would stop losing money.

Mr Leighton said: "We have a post service that is the envy of the world and I am confident that the future for the Royal Mail group and the remaining post offices is bright."