The Salisbury Road outlet is one of 53 across South Yorkshire and north Derbyshire earmarked for closure, the Royal Mail Group revealed this week.

A seven-week public consultation to determine its fate was opened on Tuesday, but bosses believe the plans provide the 'best prospect for a sustainable way forward.'

"Taking the decision to close any Post Office branch is always very difficult," said Adrian Wales, network development manager for the North East.

"We want to ensure that everyone who uses, relies on, or has any concern with Post Office services is both fully aware of the proposed changes and able to give views on them."

Others in the borough set to shut are St Anns Road, Wortley Road, Harley Road, Broad Street in Parkgate and Oldgate Lane between Thrybergh and Dalton.

A Rotherham Council spokesman said the authority was actively looking into what the proposed closures would mean for these particular areas.

"As a council we will respond to the consultation after working closely with local councillors and MPs," she added. "We will then consider what is most appropriate in these suggested locations, to ensure that local people will not be disadvantaged by the closure of their local post office, from both a service and a social network point of view."

"Post Office has also agreed to attend a Performance and Scrutiny Overview Committee meeting on Friday 12th September as part of its consultation process."

To view the area plan, visit www.postoffice.co.uk/networkchange, email consultation@postoffice.co.uk or write to Post Office Ltd, Freepost Consultation Team (no stamp required).