The axe hangs above Albion Street Post Office in Kenilworth as well as Berkswell Post Office on Church Lane, which has been part of the village for more than 100 years.

Fieldgate Post Office was originally on the hit list, but has been saved from the chop. In its place Albion Street has been nominated for closure.

The Post Office opened a six-week public consultation this week on its area plan for Birmingham, Coventry and Warwickshire.

The plan proposes future provision of Post Office services through a network of 298 branches across the area, resulting in the closure of 51 existing branches. The mood in the town to fight the possible closure of Albion Street post office has already turned angry.

Coun Pat Ryan, councillor for the Abbey Ward, says he objects strongly. He said: “It is in an area where there is a high proportion of elderly residents and where there are numbers of people without access to cars.

“For someone of limited mobility and access to transport, it is a difficult walk to the Abbey End Post Office and the direct route is through poorly lit alleyways, a particular problem in the winter.

“Albion Street is an old established part of the town, with a distinctive community spirit and this will be a body blow to that community spirit. The whole town, including all those who rallied to the defence of the High Street Post Office, need to rally to the support of Albion Street.”

Jeremy Wright MP added: “Although I am pleased that our campaign to keep Fieldgate open has been successful, I do not share the Post Office’s view that there is an expendable branch in Kenilworth.

“Sub-post offices are valuable commercial resources for local communities and provide an important social safety net too. If this branch is closed, its loss will be felt keenly. We must oppose this closure.

“I urge all those who can to respond individually to the consultation and make their views clear. In addition, I have asked Post Office management to attend a public meeting to justify their decision and to listen first hand to local opinion.

“We should leave the Post Office in no doubt about how strongly we support our local branches and the contribution they make to our communities.”

Euro MP Liz Lynne, who has also campaigned against the closures across the region, said: “Many post offices on this list are also combined with the local shop which may struggle to survive without the post office counter.”

A spokesperson for Berkswell post office said: “We are very bitter towards it all. It is a terrible thing they are doing to Berkswell.

“The shop has been here for 100 years plus and it’s absolutely disgusting. It should be kept for future generations not closed by the Post Office.”

No one from Albion Street post office was available for comment.

l The public consultation period runs until August 4, 2008.