Rural people are being urged to lobby against the closure of post offices following the naming of the first 180 branches chosen for closure.
More than 50 in Kent, 77 in the East Midlands and 45 in the East Yorkshire have been earmarked under plans to shut 2,500 by the end of 2008.
Residents affected should continue to use their branch, and lobby Post Offices Minister, Pat McFadden MP, says Countryside Alliance Chief Executive Simon Hart. They should also make their views known via trhe consultation process which is open for six weeks.
“This is a sad day and will come as a shock to all those sub-post masters on the list, but the fight certainly doesn’t end here.
"We all feel that the Government has missed the point on Post Offices. Financial viability cannot be the only concern when considering whether to continue subsidising the Post Office Network.
"Post Offices are the social heart of many communities, and without them many thousands of people, including many elderly and disabled, would be increasingly isolated," says Mr Hart.
“Government must look at the bigger picture before deciding the fate of many of our local communities."
For a list of the post offices named and for details of how to have you say, click here.