The Public and Commercial Services union said jobseekers will have to travel "unacceptable" distances when the offices close in Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Cornwall and Cumbria.

The news followed last week's confirmation that 2,500 post offices will close, the union pointed out.

General secretary Mark Serwotka said: "Office closures and job cuts have already led to people finding it more difficult and having to travel further to get help back into work.

"The closure of these offices will undoubtedly lead to people wanting to get back into work having to travel unacceptable distances to get help.

"With hundreds of jobcentres and benefits offices already closed in urban areas, the fear is that this first wave of consultations marks the beginning of a wider closure programme of jobcentres in rural communities.

"The Government and the Department for Work and Pensions are in danger of turning their back on rural communities in the race to cut costs and slash jobs."