UNCERTAINTY over the future of rural post offices across Dorset is crippling local communities, campaigners have warned.

An announcement on proposed closures - which could see the county's network of 122 post offices cut to less than 100 - is expected by the end of this week.

Dorset Community Action (DCA) - an independent charity fighting to keep post offices open - says the waiting is unhealthy' and is urging the Government to make its mind up.

Community fieldworker Simon Thompson said: "We're really hoping for an announcement this week.

"The biggest problem is the uncertainty. While this rumbles on confidence is being lost all over the place.

"Anyone wanting to sell their post office is blighted because no-one wants to do anything until they know what's happening. It's very unhealthy for local communities. It's all up in the air and people are wondering whether their post office is going to close or not."

Trade and Industry secretary Alistair Darling has stated that around 2,500 rural post offices could be axed because of £4 million-a-week losses.

Mr Thompson said: "I don't know how they're going to close so many. We lost quite a few when they did the urban closures three years ago.

"Weymouth lost a large number of its sub post offices. Unfortunately it's very difficult to say how many we're looking at now with the way the Government is playing it."

Following the announcement, specific changes and closures to rural post offices are expected to be published by the end of May.

DCA understands there will be a formal consultation period before the actual closures start happening in December.

Mr Thompson said it was crucial to get that underway with March 2009 pencilled in as the date for the final closures.

"It will be a massive blow to any community if their post office is lost," he said.

"We'll be doing all we can to ensure if there is a closure there's at least some sort of satellite service left in its place.

"Even if it's only one half-day a week, at least it will be something for people to fall back on rather than being forced to travel miles to other services.

"We'll be combative and we'll be challenging them."