HUNDREDS of people have signed a petition protesting the proposed closure of the front counter at Clitheroe Police Station.

Ribble Valley residents had raised concerns about the government's austerity cuts to police budgets and the impact this would have on crime in the area.

Giles Bridge, chair of the Ribble Valley Labour Party’s campaign forum, presented the petition to Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw.

Mr Grunshaw said he and the Chief Constable were having to take difficult decisions in allocating priorities within the police budget.

He said: "Clitheroe front counter receives on average only 10 visitors a day."

Party members asked Mr Grunshaw to reconsider the decision as part of the consultation process.

They also said they feared the elderly and isolated would be most badly affected by the proposed closure and the cuts to the police budget.

Mr Grunshaw thanked the members for outlining the concerns of many Clitheroe residents.