HUNDREDS of residents have thrown their weight behind a campaign to stop a wave of post office closures.

As reported last week, six post offices in Prestwich and Whitefield were facing the axe under a radical nationwide shake-up of services by Post Office Ltd.

Campaigners and local councillors have collected a petition with 350 names from Prestwich alone.

The petition, and letters objecting to the proposals, will be sent to the Post Office and service watchdog, Postwatch.

Bury South MP Ivan Lewis has also arranged a meeting between himself, local councillors and the two companies.

Mr Lewis said: "It will give us an opportunity to raise serious questions about the way these decisions have been made. Any flawed decision must be opposed vigorously."