HUNDREDS SIGN POST OFFICE PETITION

2.27.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 29th Jul 2008

HUNDREDS of people have signed the Liberal Democrat petition to save Newcastle's Post Offices.

Nine post offices across the city are facing the axe as part of the Labour Government's closure programme that will see 2,500 branches shut.

The branches facing closure are:

:: Clayton Road

:: Howard Street

:: Kenton Road

:: Union Society

:: Walkerville

:: Brunswick Village

:: Garden Village

:: Walbottle

:: West Denton

Under Labour, thousands of Post Offices have already closed and under the Conservatives 3,500 post offices were axed.

The Liberal Democrat plan to save the Post Office network would see £2 billion invested.

Liberal Democrat MP's are campaigning to stop the Government's Post Office closure programme.

Recently a motion was proposed in the House of Commons demanding the Government halt their plans to make 2,500 branches shut up shop.

Newcastle Labour MPs Doug Henderson, Nick Brown and Jim Cousins voted against the motion and backed the closure programme.

Ron Beadle, Newcastle North Parliamentary spokesman, said: "Hundreds of people have signed our petition to keep our local Post Offices open.

"We will be presenting the petition to the Government to show how hard local communities will be hit by these closure.

"Post Offices are vital assets for many local people and any closure will likely cause difficulties, particularly for older people and those with mobility problems. We will continue to fight against closures."

To sign the online Lib Dem petition please go to: http://campaigns.libdems.org.uk/savenewcastlespostoffices

Alternatively contact Newcastle North Parliamentary spokesman Ron Beadle.

Write to: FREEPOST Newcastle North Liberal Democrats

Tel: 0191 421 1269

Email: ron@ronbeadle.org

Website: www.ronbeadle.org