MORE than 300 people have backed the Lancashire Telegraph campaign to save vital post office services, just seven days after it launched.

A total of 281 people have written in to protest against the closure of up to a quarter of East Lancashire's post offices, and 53 have signed our online petition.

Across the area, 24 offices face the axe after a six-week consultation which began on January 21, as the Post Office tries to reduce its £4 million-a-week losses.

As the campaign to save them gathers pace, Hyndburn MP Greg Pope said he would write to all councillors in his constituency to ask them to work together on the issue, regardless of party politics.

Five post offices in his area - Belthorn, Church, Huncoat, St Hubert's in Great Harwood and Longshoot in Haslingden - are under threat.

Mr Pope, who has already visited Great Harwood Post Office to back the campaign, said: "These post offices are much needed hubs for their communities and many people rely on them for important services.

"They are particularly important for older members of the community who may struggle to access the next nearest post office - this is especially the case in Belthorn where the next nearest post office is many miles away.

"Just because some of these communities are small does not mean that their needs should be overlooked.

"This campaign isn't about party political point scoring and that's why I'm asking for support from local councillors of all political parties and not just Labour. It's important that we speak with one voice on this and I hope that I will have the support of both Hyndburn and Rossendale councillors."