LOCAL MP EXPRESSES DISMAY OVER FIRST POST OFFICE CLOSURES

4.54.33pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 10th Oct 2007

Local MP Michael Moore has expressed dismay at the announcement that 180 post offices have been earmarked for closure in East Yorkshire, East Midlands and Kent.

These subpostmasters are the first to have been put on notice by the Government that they may be forced to close their doors as early as next year.

Commenting on the announcement, Mr Moore said:

"I am extremely disappointed that the Government's post office closure plans are now becoming a reality. Despite overwhelming evidence of the important role that post offices play in their local communities, this Labour Government remains intent on closing 2,500 of them over the next eighteen months.

"Here in the Borders, our post offices will come under review in the summer of next year. I remain determined to do all that I can to prevent the forced closure of any of our local offices. In a rural area such as ours, the post office is often the backbone of the community. Indeed, in many of our villages the post office doubles up as the local shop, tourist information office or even the police station!

"It would be a severe blow if any of them are forced to close."