CONSERVATIVES have called for the susp-ension of post office closures, saying there was growing public concern over the controversial programme to shut 2,500 branches.

The Tories announced it will table a motion for debate in the Commons on Wednesday, warning of the impact closures were having on elderly and disabled people.

The party said new business should be brought into the post office branch network in a bid to prevent closures.

In total, 24 East Lanc-ashire post offices are earmarked for closure.

The Lancashire Tele-graph has run a campaign calling for them to be saved.

Shadow business secr-etary Alan Duncan said: "We understand the widespread public dismay about the plans, partic-ularly as the ones to be closed seem to be chosen on geography rather than their viability.

"MPs have been cam-paigning to highlight the failings of the closure plans and the consul-tation process.

"We think it is right that, in the light of all the complaints and concerns, Parliament should now call a halt to the process.

"This has been a horribly botched exercise and there will be massive public support for the closure programme to be suspended whilst every aspect of it is re-assessed."

The move follows news that London Mayor Ken Livingstone is consider-ing mounting a legal challenge to post office closures in the capital.

Andy Furey, of the Communication Workers Union, said: "We have consistently called for the suspension of the closure programme and the parliamentary debate on the issue.

"We now call on the Government to suspend the deeply unpopular closure programme and provide lasting invest-ment to secure the future of the post office network.

"This is a vital and valued public asset which can no longer be neglected."