COUNCIL leaders have demanded answers from the Government over fears that more rural post offices in Pendle are to close, putting communities in jeopardy.

The Chief Executive of Pendle Council, Stephen Barnes, wants clarification on the future of the borough's rural post offices following reports that their subsidies are to be cut.

Councillors have already raised fears that the Government is threatening to slash funding for rural post offices. That could force outlying post offices to close and tear a huge hole out of local communities in rural areas.

Now Mr Barnes is planning write to Government ministers and Pendle MP Gordon Prentice, expressing the council's concerns and requesting a clear statement that cuts will not be implemented.

The decision to act comes after a motion was raised by Leader of the Council Alan Davies at a meeting of the borough's full council, demanding an answer from the Government.

He argued the closure of post offices in small isolated communities would have a damaging effect, and in some cases remove the last community facility.

Coun Davies said the Government gives £150million in subsidies a year to rural post offices but believed the cash would not be given next year.

He said: "There is no doubt rural post offices will continue to provide vital services to people as the epitome of village life. A post office is often the only shop left. We have to start protesting and arguing long and loud that the closure of post offices has to stop. Dismay really does sum up what's happening. The writing is on the wall and we have to stop it before it is too late.

"What we are asking for is a statement from the Government that the subsidies will remain."

Coun John David backed the motion and said residents could do their bit to keep post offices open.

He said: "I echo everything Coun Davies said but there is a lot we can do to use the post office. Post offices can be used for a great deal of services and people in rural areas should use them for simple transactions."

More than 3,000 of our 9,000 post offices are being shut down as part of a rolling national programme, although rural post offices are protected from the round of closures.