Weston hit hardest over post office closures

1.34.52pm GMT Mon 3rd Mar 2008

Weston-super-Mare and the surrounding area faces greater post office closures than similar towns and cities like Bath, Bridgwater, Taunton and Yeovil according to local campaigner Mike Bell.

Six local post offices face closure in Weston-super-Mare and nearby villages - only three will close in Bridgwater, four in Bath, and five will close in both Taunton and Yeovil.

Mike Bell, the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Weston-super-Mare, said: "Weston is being hit harder than most by these post office closures. Even Bristol, proportionately, has fewer closures. It's a disgrace.

"Weston, not for the first time, seems to be singled out for unfair treatment. We must fight back."

Meanwhile it has been revealed that all three post offices in the Houses of Parliament are to escape closure.

Mike Bell added: "Once again it is one rule for MPs and another for the rest of us. Residents in Kewstoke are expected to travel miles to a post office with no direct public transport, whilst MPs will enjoy unfettered access even though the three Parliamentary post offices are just a few metres apart. It is breathtaking hypocrisy."

Hundreds of local people have already signed up to petitions across the town opposing the post office closures - including many on Mike Bell's special campaign website www.savewestonpostoffices.org.uk