THE Post Office's careless and ill considered decision to axe Lower Darwen Post Office (LET, October 23) will not be accepted by the residents. It is a vital part of our life and for many it serves a social role.

With the growing number of residents in the area it is a vital asset. Once, service was paramount; now, it appears that profits are far more important than people.

Whoever decides these things obviously lives miles away. Otherwise, how can they claim that there are three alternatives which could be reached by bus? -- when there is only one, with an irregular bus service.

Why should they force pensioners to spend their small increase in pension on bus fares? How does this fit with the government's plan to get people out of cars and walking when they double, treble, nay, quadruple the distance from home to post office?

We also suspect that this is a sneaky way of getting everyone to have benefits paid into their bank rather than picking up the cash from the post office. This will cause great upset to many, particularly those elderly who have never had a bank account.

Our association is mounting a vigorous defence of our post office with petitions and meetings where, for instance, we will be calling on a senior manager of the post office to hear our views.

They may have got away with their axe in other areas but not in our village. This is a true fight for democracy -- by the people, and for the people.

GRAHAM CARTER (Trustee, Lower Darwen Village Association), Kingsway, Lower Darwen, Blackburn.