HUNTS Post readers showed their support for Huntingdonshire s threatened post office branches at Downing Street on Monday. MPs Jonathan Djanogly and Shailesh Vara handed in to Number 10.more than 8,000 signatures opposing reductions in post office service

HUNTS Post readers showed their support for Huntingdonshire's threatened post office branches at Downing Street on Monday.

MPs Jonathan Djanogly and Shailesh Vara handed in to Number 10.more than 8,000 signatures opposing reductions in post office services.

Seven post offices in the district have been earmarked for closure by Post Office Ltd, which is trying to cut costs by closing branches.

The petitions consisted of 6,500 signatures gathered by The Hunts Post and additional names on Conservative Party petitions.

After the handover, Huntingdon MP Mr Djanogly said: "The proposed closures are a huge attack on rural life. Post Offices represent much more to local communities than just a shop, they are often the hub of a village or town and I continue to urge people to make their own individual input into the official Post Office Consultation.

"I urge everyone affected to write into the consultation opposing the closure of their own local post office.

"However, it is also vital to comment on the Post Office alternative proposals offered. There will be no second chance to comment."

Mr Vara, the MP for North-West Cambridgeshire, added: "The campaign to save our post offices is being fought on many fronts and the petition delivered to Downing Street is just one part of the fight.

"The thousands of people who signed the petition demonstrate just how strongly people feel about the issue and also show how many people will be affected by the closures."

On Thursday last week, representatives from the seven affected villages attended a meeting with Cambridgeshire ACRE to discuss how best to fight the closure programme.

A public meeting has been arranged in Earith tonight (Wednesday) as villagers prepare a battle to save their post office. The meeting, to be chaired by Mr Vara, is to be held in the village hall and gets under way at 7.30pm - see www.saveearithpostoffice.co.uk

The consultation period with Post Office Ltd ends on August 26.

n As well as Earith, post offices at Catworth, Great Gidding, Great Gransden, Great Stukeley, Holme and Ramsey St Mary's have been recommended for closure.

INFORMATION: Responses should be sent to National Consultation Team, Post Office Ltd, FREEPOST CONSULTATION TEAM (no stamp required) or consultation@postoffice.co.uk