The lobby group, which was responding to the Department of Trade and Industry's (DTI) consultation on the future of the UK's Post Office network, said the Government must consider the economic and social impact of closing up to 2,500 branches.

Spokesman Clive Davenport said:

"We recognise the need for the network to be restructured, but there needs to be a much greater understanding of the impact on the economy and local communities of widespread Post Office closures.

"Small businesses generate over half of UK GDP and many of them rely on the Post Office for a variety of services. Their future and that of the communities they sustain needs to be carefully considered."

The DTI's consultation closes today.