BIDS TO SAVE POST OFFICES

And Lewes MP Norman Baker has backed an opposition motion in parliament advocating allowing post offices more freedom to expand their business.

Mr Baker said: 'We are fortunate to have a number of successful small post offices across our area in villages such as Firle and Ditchling, to larger towns like Seaford.

'I am very concerned that these facilities do not come under threat due to cost-cutting. I will do all I can to ensure that these popular local businesses are kept open.'

Petitions are being put in local post office branches or, alternatively, the petition can be signed through the website at www.leweslibdems.org.uk

Tories say the government plans could include the closure of four of the 26 post offices in the Lewes constituency.

The petition is being put up in post offices across the constituency.

Jason Sugarman, Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate for Lewes, said: 'Post offices provide a lifeline to local communities, but their future is now under real threat.

'Some 4,000 post offices have been shut across the country since 1999 and further closures will hit the vulnerable and elderly the hardest.'

The Conservatives also want sub-post offices to be given more freedom to offer a wider range of products and services to help keep them in business.

They are also pushing for more post offices to become 'one-stop shops' for central government services.