Petition over post office closure

Campaigners fighting the closure of a Lincolnshire post office have presented a 4,000-name petition opposing the move to their local authority.

The Sea View branch in Skegness is one of seven in the area facing closure under Post Office plans.

Protesters demonstrated earlier in August over the proposals with local residents saying the branch provides vital services in the area.

Campaigners submitted the petition to East Lindsay District Council.

Protest organiser Dell Claxtone said: "We have done our best. I would love to see it stay open, and I hope it does stay open.

"If the post office closes it, it will take the heart out of the community around Sea View."

The six other branches facing closure are in Boston, Skegness and Spalding.

It is just not good enough to be closing down another rural service Ian Bustin

Post Office Ltd has already said it wants to shut almost 50 post offices in the county as part of a national programme to reduce losses.

A consultation period is under way during which objections from the public can be registered.

East Lindsey District Council is supporting the campaigners in their attempts to save the branch.

Council spokesperson Ian Bustin said: "There is a group of local people that have got together and said look, it is just not good enough to be closing down another rural service."

Post Office Ltd wants to shut about 2,500 branches nationally, pointing out that more than 80% of the rural network is not profitable and the network loses more than £4m each week.