CAMPAIGNERS are fighting controversial plans to close 24 post offices across East Lancashire.

The branches are set to be axed as the Government looks to reduce their £4million per week losses on the Post Office.

But even local Labour MPs are rebelling against their party as public consultations begin over the unpopular closures.

Burnley MP Kitty Ussher has pledged to fight any prospective closures, if they affect her constituents' access to postal services.

Mrs Ussher said: "I do not believe that Hapton people should have to get an infrequent bus to Padiham to access a local post office and I will be making this point very strongly.

"I urge people to let me know what they think about the planned closures in their areas so that I can represent their views in the strongest possible terms in my response to the consultation."

And Pendle MP Gordon Prentice has also promised to question inaccuracies' in the Post Office's own research into access for branches locally.

Pendle Conservatives have also launched a campaign against proposed closures in Higham, Barkerhouse Road, Carr Hall, Foulridge, Gisburn Road in Barnoldswick and Hill Place.

Meanwhile residents in Belthorn have launched a protest about the loss of their village branch in Holden Street.

Ward councillor Marlene Haworth was joined by deputy leader of Hyndburn Council, Coun Brian Roberts, outside the post office today to protest at the closure.

Coun Haworth said it would be a crushing blow for the village if the post office was to go.

She said: "It is appalling and disgusting what the Government is planning to do.

"This is going to have major implications for the lives of old people in the village who will have to travel at least one-and-a-half-miles to the post office in Guide.

"We have a limited bus service through here."