'FIGHT TO SAVE LOCAL POST OFFICES NOW ON' - BURT

12.06.59pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 25th Jun 2008

Local residents have been shocked to learn that three post offices in Solihull are facing closure.

A six-week local consultation has begun which will decide the fate of Olton Hollow, Haslucks Green Road and Catherine de Barnes post offices.

Solihull's MP Lorely Burt said:

"This is devastating news for many residents who now face the loss of their local post office services.

"If these three were to go as a result of the government's plans to close 2,500 more post offices, over a quarter of Solihull's sub-post offices would disappear over night. This would have a huge impact on the elderly and most vulnerable members of our community as well as hitting small businesses hard."

Lorely Burt MP and local Liberal Democrats have already begun a major campaign and petition to save the threatened post offices.

"We are delighted to have the backing of the Observer and will fight tooth and nail with local residents to save these services," said Mrs Burt.

"The Government has already decided that closures will take place. Consultations are about where, not whether, closures will happen.

"Olton Hollow, Haslucks Green Road, and Catherine de Barnes Post Offices all deserve to stay: they play a vital part in the lives of their communities."

"We are encouraging local residents to do all they can to support the future of our Post Offices here in Solihull.

"People should not forget the Conservatives closed 3,500 post offices when they were last in office, and I welcome their involvement in this local campaign. However, only the Liberal Democrats have concrete plans to invest £2billion in sub-post offices to provide them with a sustainable future," added Mrs Burt.