The committee was presented with research undertaken by Hartlepool Borough Council officers that goes into detail about the levels of car ownership, pensioner population levels and the amount of people with bank accounts.

The Raby Estate post office, in Chatham Road, has a population count of 31,091 (23,487 adults) within a one-mile catchment area of the office.

Only 36 per cent of the population own a car compared to the national average of 44 per cent and the percentage of people with bank accounts is lower than the national average, 95 per cent compared to 97.5 per cent.

Also, approximately 4,650 pensioners live in the catchment area with more on the way as a result of new developments.

The Elwick Road post office has a population count of 29,247 (22,117 Adults) within a one mile radius of the office.

Once again car ownership levels are low with just 36 per cent of the population owning a car. This equates to 14,000 people not owning a car within a mile of the post office.

There is an elderly population of around 4,650 and there are six car homes close to the post office.

Hart villagE post office has a population count of 2,898 (2,180 Adult) within a mile of the post office although this will increase with the Middle Warren development.

Car ownership levels are higher than the national average, at 52 per cent, but the nearest post office, West View, is more than two miles away.

The percentage of people with access to bank accounts is almost 100 per cent while the pensioner population is seven per cent, lower than the national average of 16.

All the information gathered will be included in the council's formal response to the consultation period which will then be submitted to the Post Office by March 26.