Bressingham, Scole, New Buckenham and Tacolneston in Norfolk, and Gislingham and Wattisfield in Suffolk, face losing their branches.

Sub-postmasters and councillors have described their regret at the news, part of a nationwide programme by the Government to axe 2,500 branches, saying they will tear the heart out of rural communities.

South Norfolk councillor Michael Windridge has campaigned to support post offices. He said: "We share the anger of everyone at this news. This will rip the heart out of many rural villages and communities.

"It will leave many, including vulnerable people with little or no access to transport, deprived of essential services and local support."

But he added that the number proposed for closure was not as bad as many had feared.

Bressingham Stores and Post Office sub-postmaster Alan Byrne said the announcement was not a surprise.

Mr Byrne was also worried about the knock-on effect the closure would have on his shop. He said: "It's important the customers of the village continue to support the shop.

"If that goes, along with the post office, it is another part of the fabric of village life gone."

For people in Gislingham, the announcement will mark a double blow, as the closure of the post office would also see them lose their village shop in which it is based.

Gislingham sub-postmaster Geoff Laurence said: "The shop will have to close. The post office contributes about a third to the business but if it goes, my costs will only change marginally. I would lose about half my money and working 14-hour days for half my money would be a bit stupid.

"This post office was purpose built two years ago with disabled facilities and a new counter and other equipment and was built to run for the next 20 years."

Parish council chairman Chris Tutin expected the council would protest the decision in the consultation period that began on Wednesday and will run for nine weeks.

He added: "I feel very sad about the whole thing, particularly for pensioners – there are quite a few people using it."

Post Office Ltd plans to place an 'Outreach' service from the village's Six Bells pub for nine hours a week, from which a sub-postmaster would carry out certain services.

Tacolneston fought a campaign two years ago to have a post office in the village after its previous one closed down.

Councillor Beverley Spratt, who helped with the campaign, said: "The Government tells us how to keep villages sustainable, but they have mismanaged post offices by taking away some of the services they provide. Our villages become commuter belts. This is what the Government do not realise.

"The Bank of England put billions into Northern Rock and they are taking this facility away from us when we wanted a bit of finance to turn them into thriving businesses."

Villagers in Scole could face a trip to Diss if the closure goes ahead. Sub-postmistress Kim Charles started a petition to extend the consultation period.