Post Office campaign gains momentum

3.41.06pm GMT Mon 8th Jan 2007

Hundreds of residents across South Lakeland have already signed the petition launched by MP Tim Farron in response to the Government's announcement that a further 2,500 rural post offices are to close. The local MP launched the petition just before Christmas, and sent petition forms to post offices across his Westmorland & Lonsdale constituency.

Commenting on the campaign, Tim said: "I would like to thank all of those who have already signed the petition against these closures, and ask local residents to show the strength of feeling by signing a petition in their local post office. It's great news for the campaign that post offices are already contacting me for more petition forms!

"The Government are trying to paint a picture where they have been forced to announce the closures of vital community assets because of economics. Local residents will not be fooled by this - it is this Government which has systematically removed Government business from the post office network, from benefits payments to TV licences and car tax discs - it is this Government which has undermined the financial viability of our local post offices."