RIBBLE VALLEY Council bosses have come out against plans to shut two of Clitheroe's three post offices.

Chief executive David Morris has been instructed by council leader Chris Holtom to write to Royal Mail calling for a re-think on the plans.

As the Lancashire Evening Telegraph revealed a fortnight ago, consultation has begun on plans to close Henthorn Road Post Office and Salford Post Office, in Whalley Road.

That would leave the town with just one post office in the town centre.

Royal Mail says the change is necessary because there is no longer enough business to sustain so many urban post offices. Across the country, around 3,000 of the 9,000 urban post offices are closing.

But councillors claim the closures would leave pensioners, particularly those in sheltered accommodation near to the two threatened offices, high and dry.

Coun Holtom said: "Public consultation will end on May 17 and it will be a short while before a decision is made.

"Because of the short consultation, we won't have time to discuss the issue so I have asked the chief executive to write to Royal Mail opposing the closures.

"We are now working to assess the impact of these two closures."

He added the authority was also concerned about rural post office closures, even though they aren't part of the structured 'reinvention' programme.

Salesbury Post Office close in January and Ribchester Post Office closes on May 26 when the postmistress retires. Billington Post Office is due to re-open soon after a replacement subpostmaster was found, along with new premises.

Labour's sole councillor, John McGowan, said: "It is important we assess the impact the closures in Clitheroe will have so we can make submissions opposing the closures."

Clitheroe Town Council has added its voice to the chorus of condemnation.

A meeting of Clitheroe Town Council resolved to write to Royal Mail opposing the closures 'in the strongest possible terms.'