More than 100 post offices across the capital are under threat of closure after a consultation into the future of the service began today.

During the six week consultation period, Royal Mail will be asking for the views of people who use the branches, all of which could be shut.

People will be asked about the accessibility of the 169 threatened branches, as well as how frequently and what, they use them for.

Roger Darlington, chairman of Postwatch's Greater London Region, the customer watchdog for postal services, said: "Post office closures are not good news, but the reality is that the Government has decided many have to close because of falling customer numbers and mounting losses.

"The challenge now is for Post Office Ltd to ensure that closures cause customers as little inconvenience as possible.

"Customers and their representatives have an important role to play in the coming weeks in bringing their local knowledge to bear and informing Post Office Ltd how the proposals would affect them."

The national criterion is that 99 per cent of the population will be within three miles of a post office, and 90 per cent within one mile.

Outgoing subpostmasters will be paid 28 months salary as compensation for leaving the business.

Liberal Democrat mayoral candidate Brian Paddick argued the economics left ordinary people out of the equation.

"People rely on their local services and to suggest closing a fifth of all post offices in London shows a complete disregard for the needs of the local population," he said.

The six-week consultation runs until April 2. To give your view, write to National Consultation Team, Post Office Ltd, FREEPOST CONSULTATION TEAM (no stamp is required) or call 08457 22 33 44. You can also email your comments using the link on the post office website.