THREE post offices in York and Selby are set to close as part of changes to the urban network.

Post Office Ltd announced today that the Gerard Avenue branch in Burnholme, the Osbaldwick branch in Farndale Road, both in York, and the Brayton Road branch, in Doncaster Road, Selby, are set to shut permanently in June.

The Evening Press reported last year that MPs voted to approve a £210 million compensation package which allows the Post Office to axe a total of about 3,000 outlets across the country - a third of the urban network.

A staff member at the Osbaldwick branch today blamed changes to the way people pay pensions and benefits on the impending closure.

"I'm very sad about it," he said.

"But unfortunately we won't be the only ones forced to close over this."

A spokesman for the Post Office said there were too many outlets competing for too little business.

He said because of increased running costs and concerns about future income, many sub-postmasters would no longer have viable businesses unless changes were made.

But no final decision would be taken until customers had been given the chance to air their concerns.

They must write to David Mellows-Facer, head of area, by May 7, at: National Consultation Team, PO Box 641, St Albans, AL1 5XN.

Updated: 11:15 Tuesday, April 01, 2003