More than 9,000 post offices will close because of Government plans to sell off the Royal Mail – according to the people who run them.

New research has found nine out of 10 subpostmasters say they could not survive without Royal Mail business.

The shock figure means the number at risk in the West is far higher than the 200 shut under Labour, as part of a cost-cutting exercise that saw 2,500 branches go around the country.

The study was carried out by the Communication Workers Union (CWU), and questioned 800 subpostmasters.

It also found 90 per cent of them believed they were unlikely to continue if the Government pressed ahead with plans for scaled-down post offices.

As the Daily Press reported last month, proposals for new Post Office Locals offering reducing services could see scores more West outlets close.

The CWU, which is campaigning against privatisation of the Royal Mail, said based on its study's findings, over 9,000 post offices would shut.

That would inevitably include hundreds in the West, many in villages where they are the hub of the community – but the CWU analysis was rejected by Ministers.

Most of the subpostmasters questioned had little or no confidence the Government will return to post offices services it has removed.

CWU boss Billy Hayes said: "These figures clearly demonstrate the fears of sub-postmasters and mistresses about the fate of our cherished post office network.

"Based on these projections, the post office network faces a greater threat than anyone previously dared believe.

"Through the privatisation of Royal Mail, refusal to guarantee business and the removal of government contracts, the Government is failing post offices.

"It must listen to the opinions of those who work in the Post Office and decide whether the threat of mass closures is something it wants on its hands."

The National Federation of SubPostmasters warned against scaremongering, but demanded an agreement to ensure that branches would continue to get Royal Mail work.

Its general secretary George Thomson said: "The NFSP has made clear a minimum 10-year inter-business agreement (IBA) between the Post Office and Royal Mail is required if the companies are separated, both to allow the public and business to continue to access Royal Mail services at their local post office and to secure the large proportion of subpostmasters' income which comes from carrying out work on behalf of Royal Mail."

He said new Government work was essential, but added: "Scaremongering about the future without an IBA and the forced introduction of the Post Office Local model does nothing but harm to the post office network and to postmasters."

Post Office Minister Edward Davey insisted: "The Government is clear – the Post Office is not for sale and there will be no programme of closures.

"Instead we have announced £1.34 billion of funding for the Post Office, to maintain and modernise the network. In return for the funding, Post Office Ltd must maintain a network of at least 11,500 branches."

He said the NFSP supported legislation to sell off Royal Mail: "They recognise the important steps we are taking to turn the post office network around and end the years of decline."

Last month the Western Daily Press reported on how scores more West post offices could close because of controversial plans to cut the services they offer and would be offering services in shops known as Locals.

As a result, Labour called on Ministers to re-think the scheme for new Post Office Locals and claimed their plan for the future of the network was falling apart.

The coalition said most existing post offices will close, with services switching to nearby shops, petrol stations or other facilities.