UNION members were back on the streets yesterday, protesting against the proposed movement of post offices into branches of WHSmith.

Branches in Poole High Street and the Victorian building in Post Office Road, Bournemouth, are among 70 offices across the country set to be closed down over the next 18 months.

Members of the Communication Workers Union handed out leaflets outside WHSmith in Old Christchurch Road.

National officer Andy Furey said: "There's no way WHSmith can replicate the quality of service we have at the moment.

"1,500 post office staff stand to lose their jobs, and their years of experience will go with them.

"It's an absolute disgrace. It's short-term gain for Post Office Ltd, but a long-term loss for the people of Bournemouth and the country as a whole."

Royal Mail say falling profits made the move inevitable.

Spokesperson Richard Hall said: "Post Office Ltd only own 458 of the 14,000 branches, and they made a loss of £70 million in the past financial year. No business can sustain that in the long term."

Post offices no longer do benefits work or sell TV licences, and face competition from direct debit and the internet for services such as car tax.

"We have to transform," said Mr Hall. "And going into partnership with an experienced retailer like WHSmith sits very nicely with preserving Post Office Ltd in town and city centres in the future."