Fury erupted today after it emerged Postwatch had failed to back any of the campaigns to save 17 post offices in the district from closure.

The group, which lobbies on behalf of post office customers, says it could not find a case to oppose any of the proposals - including the hugely controversial Bank Street in the city centre.

Judith Donovan CBE, chairman of Postwatch Northern England, said: "Whilst we do regret that some or all of these branches may now close we do support the closure programme in principle."

Mrs Donovan, chairman of Bradford Chamber of Commerce, said Postwatch's backing of the closures was only made on condition that improvements were carried out to remaining post offices.

But today the group was accused of "betrayal" and branded "toothless".

Their decision was condemned by MPs, Bradford Council, union leaders and pensioners representatives.

Bradford North MP Terry Rooney said the consumers of Bradford would be "mortified".

He said: "In making this decision they have betrayed the people of Bradford. You have to ask who on earth Postwatch is there for if it is just going to abandon Bradford and this round of closures.

"It doesn't seem to be representing the consumers if it is happy to see all this happen and cannot find it within it to object to even one closure.

"I am staggered and despairing. If the Post Office can say the official consumer representative body is not objecting, it strengthens their cause immeasurably.

"We will keep the pressure up, but it's like having both hands tied behind your back."

Gerry Sutcliffe, MP for Bradford South and the Post Offices Minister, said as a constituency MP he was "surprised and alarmed", given the huge correspondence and debate -- particularly about Bank Street

The Telegraph & Argus has helped to collect 3,000 signatures, protesting about the planned closures, in a major campaign.

A dossier of protests was sent by us to the Post Office National Consultation Team, which will decide on the closures the Post Office is seeking.

The outlets under threat are the Bank Street post office in the centre of Bradford and 16 sub post offices across the district, including two in Keighley.

Mr Sutcliffe said that, as Post Offices Minister, the decisions were a matters for the Royal Mail in conjunction with Postwatch.

He said: "As I understand it, Post Offices Ltd will make a final decision."

Bradford Council leader Margaret Eaton said she was very disappointed by Postwatch. She said: "We feel very let down by Postwatch as it has always assured us that we had its full support.

"However, we will continue our campaign against the proposed closures as we believe this is in the best interests of our residents.

"The Council has worked very closely with users' groups, the T&A and our own Regeneration and Economy Improvement Committee, which held a special meeting on the issue, to try to preserve these services for some of the most vulnerable members of our community.

"Our extensive research shows that the majority of premises concerned are in areas where there are a high number of elderly people, people without cars and single parents. In some cases residents would have to cross dual carriageways and railways to get to the nearest alternative services."

Dave Walton, regional secretary of the Communication Workers Union, said he was "gobsmacked and disappointed" by the news.

"It surprises me because Postwatch is supposed to be there for the consumer as well as the post office," he said. "It's a slap in the face for Bradford and a big blow that Postwatch is not going to fight for the cause. What it seems to be saying is that the Post Office has made the right decision.

"I think Postwatch is a waste of time. All it's there for is to deal with complaints about services, like when letters aren't delivered. I don't think they will listen to any logical representation that is put forward. It's not even toothless - there isn't a mouth to put teeth in."

Mr Walton said the union would be putting pressure on MP Gerry Sutcliffe to try to save the post offices.

Pensioners' campaigner Audrey Raistrick described Postwatch's decision not to object as "absurd."

She said: "It's absolutely disgraceful. I can't see why they've done it. The country needs its post offices."

Mrs Raistrick, secretary of the Forum Focused on pension Power, added: "As a pensioner and a protector of pensioners, I am astounded. Everything was going fine. We had thousands of signatures protesting against the closures.

"Who are they watching for? Whose interests are they serving? It's certainly not the community."

Marsha Singh, MP for Bradford West, said it was a "bitter blow and a big let down for the people of Bradford."

He added: "Postwatch is supposed to represent the interests of the consumer, not the interests of the Post Office.

"Nobody can tell me there isn't an argument for a single one of these post offices to be kept, especially Bank Street.

"The parties concerned, including the Council, have made very logical and proper representations about them.

"I am shocked at Postwatch, it should remember what it is there for. I and my MP colleagues will be writing to the Post Office Minister to see what they are playing at."

Keighley MP Ann Cryer said she was surprised the watchdog had not found one post office to defend.

"I am disappointed and it makes you wonder why they are not objecting to any of the closures. It seems a waste of time having a watchdog in those circumstances."

Postwatch had said that the massive response from Bradford about the closures was the biggest it had ever known.

A spokesman for the Royal Mail said: "The Government wants us to be profitable. But the fact is there are too few customers and too many offices.

"This means Postwatch realises it is logical to close the offices. That is business life."

She said the final decision would be known in a few weeks.