AT community level the threat of Post Office closures has prompted strong feeling among residents and councillors.

Belthorn is one of those under the axe and Coun Marlene Haworth picketed outside the post office in protest at the proposed closures last week.

She said: "I'm appalled at this news. The closure of the post office will have a tremendous impact on village life, as it provides a valuable service to our local community.

"Elderly people rely on the post office. It will be really difficult for them. "

Coun Lynn Wilson, whose Great Harwood ward is also affected by the closure of the Queen Street post office, added: "A large proportion of elderly people will be affected by this closure, who will have to travel up the hill to the Glebe St post office."

With the post office in Sunnyhurst, Darwen, facing the chop Coun David Smith slammed the Government's "short-sighted" policy.

He said: "It is a brand new building and there is a lot of empty houses around here but that will change when they are ripped down and new ones put up.

"We are saying this action is premature."

Coun Sonia Robinson's, of the Southfield ward, is facing the prospect of the post office in Barker House Road, Nelson, closing.

She said: "I support the Lancashire Telegraph campaign and anything that my residents need.

"There are a lot of elderly people living in this area and there is a desperate need for the post office. It would be a big blow if it was lost."

Jeff Sumner, whose Rosehill ward takes in the post office in Parliament Street, Burnley, said: "We need councils and governments that actually listen to people instead of telling them what to do all the time."

In Ribble Valley Mellor Brook post office is one of those that could see its door permantly shut and Coun Stella Brunskill claims the move would hit the community hard.

She said: "The problem is we have an elderly population and Mellor post office is up a steep hill so Mellor Brook has been convenient for them.

"Taking this away takes cash out of the community because the elderly people would use the service to withdraw money which would then be passed on to gardeners, milkmen or other people doing jobs for them.

"I support the Lancashire Telegraph campaign and anything that helps the community."