ISLAND POST OFFICE CLOSURES UNVEILED

Ten of the Island's 51 post offices are earmarked for closure under national modernisation plans. The threatened branches were unveiled on Tuesday morning. They are The Old Dairy, Calbourne; Church Hooke Hill, Freshwater; Havenstreet Main Road; Hunny Hill, Newport; Newport Road, Ventnor; Meadow Road, East Cowes; York Street, Cowes; Simeon Street, Ryde; Swanmore Road, Ryde; Wilton Park Road, Arthurs Hill, Shanklin.

A six week consultation is now underway and you can lodge your comments before 26 November. Write to Tim Nickolls, Network Development Manager, c/o National Consultation Team, FREEPOST CONSULTATION TEAM or email consultation@postoffice.co.uk or call the Customer Helpline on 08457 22 33 44.

Isle of Wight MP Andrew Turner's dismayed by today's announcement. He says "The loss of some of these branches could rip the heart out of village life as the Post Office provides a focal point in the village. Furthermore, it may cause severe difficulties for people living in our towns, especially those who are less mobile. I will be working with the Rural Community Council to challenge the Post Office on the grounds that they made their decisions about which branches to close using incomplete and outdated information. I have also contacted Postwatch the industry watchdog to tell them of my concerns."