FEARS for the future of rural post offices are to be delivered by Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock next week.

He is to meet figures from the Post Office on Wednesday (January 25) to discuss potential closures, such as in Broughton-in-Furness, where the community PO may once again be under threat. Postmistress Dianne Bath has been given seven days to decide to accept a conversion to a local branch model, said Mr Woodcock's office.

The MP secured the meeting after news that Ulverston PO was one of a number of branches across the country earmarked for closure.

He led a protest in Ulverston last Friday and has set up a petition for residents to raise concerns about the impact the closure would have on them.

"People in Furness really rely on the services offered by post offices," said Mr Woodcock, "and this is especially true in more rural areas where both elderly residents and local business need access to banking and money transfer facilities.

"Losing their post offices would be a massive blow to both Ulverston and Broughton and I know there is a strong feeling in both communities that these closures should be resisted.

"I will be raising both cases with the Post Office and I hope they will see sense and allow these brilliant local facilities to carry on serving their communities.”