POSTAL watchdogs say they are looking closely at plans to close Pontywaun Post Office in Cwmcarn - amid fears for disabled users of the service.

The Post Office recently announced it is proposing to close the Twyncarn Road PO as part of its 'urban reinvention' programme - along with the closure of Bloomfield Road PO, Blackwood and Fields Park PO, Newport.

But watchdogs Postwatch says they are unhappy with the facilities available to the disabled in the remaining post offices should Pontywaun PO close.

Postwatch says that during the consultation period for the closure it will assess a range of factors including transport links, geographic and population data, disabled access and facilities and the ability of remaining post offices to absorb extra custom.

It will also listen to local concerns about why the office should stay open.

Postwatch says that if it is not satisfied that customers will still have good access to services in other post offices, it will strongly oppose the closure.

Eifion Pritchard, chairman of Postwatch Wales, said: "We recognise that in some urban areas, there are too many post offices competing for the same customers.

"While Postwatch Wales is not opposed to the rationalisation where there is over-provision of postal services, it needs to be certain that adequate facilities remain available in the locality.

"Postwatch Wales remains unhappy with the facilities available to the disabled in the remaining post offices, particularly as these are not as good as the facilities currently available at the Pontywaun office."

A spokeswoman for the Post Office said the decision to close any post office is not taken lightly and involves research and discussion with Postwatch, local opinion formers and the communities to be affected.

She added that each case is looked at individually.

She said: "We look to what the community is saying and look to see if there's anything we have missed that would prevent us closing a Post Office."

Before a final decision is made on the Pontywaun PO the Post Office is inviting people to write to the National Consultation Team, PO Box 641, St Albans AL1 5XN with their views.

Letters should arrive no later than July 30.