The offices in Dalmeny and Newton have been earmarked for closure in the final round of cuts proposed by Post Office Ltd.

Yesterday (Thursday) a public meeting was scheduled to take place in Dalmeny Primary School.

The meeting, organised by Edinburgh West MP John Barrett, was also expected to be attended by representatives of the Post Office and the Post Office watchdog, Postwatch.

The Liberal Democrat MP has campaigned to retain post offices in the Edinburgh West area in recent years and has spoken in the House of Commons on the subject.

The Dalmeny facility operates on a part-time basis but it is essential for villagers who have mobility problems or no means of transport to get to the nearest post office in Queensferry.

MP John Barrett said: "There will be a six-week consultation period where villagers will have time to put forward their case.

"If closure, however, is the only route for Dalmeny, I will fight strongly for some sort of service to be maintained in the village."

Roy Keenan of Carlowrie Avenue in Dalmeny said: "A local post office is a social necessity for many older people and I find it hard to believe that the matter has been thought through."

The Post Office Ltd said this week that under its plans 99.6 per cent of people living in the Edinburgh and Lothians area will see either "no change" to their nearest branch, or will remain within one mile of an alternative branch.

But in a poster at the Dalmeny PO, the alternatives are sited at Inverkeithing in Fife, and Ratho.

In neighbouring Newton, the loss of the post office would also have a major impact as it doubles as the village shop.

The business has been run by the Cochrane family for the past 24 years and sub-postmaster Alan said: "It will be a sad loss if it has to close, it is my livelihood and I will be out of a job."

West Lothian Council's Provost Tom Kerr, who represents Newton, said: "Closure would be a real disaster as the post office and the shop are an integral part of the community. I am extremely concerned and will be discussing the situation with Mr Cochrane."

Martyn Day, West Lothian Council's executive councillor for development and transport, said: "The council is opposed to any post office closures in West Lothian and we will be seeking a meeting with the Post Office during the consultation period to put forward a strong case for retaining the three outlets under threat."

Tam Smith, SNP parliamentary candidate for Linlithgow and Falirk East, is also disgusted at the latest proposals by the Post Office and is calling on locals to raise a petition.

Mary Mulligan, MSP for Linlithgow, added: "It is unacceptable that the elderly have to travel to either Queensferry or Winchburgh for a postal service."