DELIGHT at a U-turn over two post office closures was today tainted by fears for the future of another two branches.

Campaigners are celebrating saving Kelvindale and Hyndland offices in Glasgow's West End and Auchenback area of Barrhead, East Renfrewshire, from the axe.

But there was fury when it was announced two Glasgow branches could now be lost as a result of their reprieve.

A total of 19 offices across the city are to close as part of Royal Mail's controversial cost-cutting blueprint.

But as the closure threat was lifted from two West End branches it shifted to two other city outlets.

Offices in Westmuir Street in Parkhead and Shawbridge Street in Pollokshaws are now at risk under the revised plan.

But when contacted by the Evening Times, staff at the Shawbridge branch said they had not officially been told the branch was under threat.

Royal Mail bosses say the additional closures are necessary to offset the funding costs of retaining services elsewhere.

However, Deputy First Minister and Govan MSP Nicola Sturgeon expressed outrage at the loss of the Shawbridge branch, which lies in her constituency.

She vowed to mount a vigorous campaign to persuade Royal Mail to reverse the decision.

She said: "Pollokshaws is an area of high deprivation and high numbers of elderly people and that community will be left devastated by this loss of service. I am furious and it proves the whole consultation was a sham.

"A few weeks ago when they launched the consultation exercise (over proposed closures) Pollokshaws was not deemed fit for closure, so I would like to know what has changed. Nothing about Pollokshaws has changed." Robert Baird, Ross McCreath and William Hamill hit out at the closure plan

Pensioner, William Hamill, 89, of Pollokshaws, said: "I have used this post office for more than 20 years. The nearest other branch is in Kilmarnock Road, Shawlands which is quite far to walk."

Local resident Ross McCreath, 31, said: "It's not so bad for me because I am mobile but there are a lot of elderly people in the community who use the post office."

Robert Baird, 56, of Pollokshaws said: "If they close it I will have to pay for bus fares to the nearest branch in Shawlands."

The branch on Westmuir Street was temporarily closed by Post Office bosses on May 16 after the postmaster resigned.

A spokeswoman for Post Office said it remained closed because they have been unable to find a replacement manager.

SNP MSP Sandra White described the consultion as a "farce". She said: "This is a ridiculous state of affairs and the consultation is clearly a sham."

Sally Buchanan, Post Office network development manager for Scotland, said: "We believe the amended plan offers our customers the best prospect for a sustainable network in the future."