CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save two of their town's post offices from closure have signed a letter to Prime Minister Gordon Brown urging him to listen to residents' concerns.

CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save two of their town's post offices from closure have signed a letter to Prime Minister Gordon Brown urging him to listen to residents' concerns.

Managers announced at the end of March that they would shut 16 branches in west Suffolk to bring the total number facing the axe in the county to 50, causing concern in those communities that will lose a lifeline.

But residents are determined to fight the plans in Stowmarket, as their local branches in Combs Ford and Crown Street are earmarked for closure.

The mayor and town councillors who are campaigning to save the branches signed the letter in public outside their offices in Milton Road South, in front of supporters who arrived with placards or dressed in costumes.

Mayor Anne Whybrow said: “We are fighting and striving to save our post offices, we cannot express too strongly how important they are to our community.”

Dee Suchak, postmaster at Combs Ford, was among those there and said: “Literally half my customers are retired or elderly, some are disabled. I could not have asked for more support from the community.”

And Rosie Carter, who is leading the protest to keep her local post office in Crown Street open has helped collate a dossier of evidence to save the branch which was handed to the mayor.

The dossier will now be sent to the Royal Mail, Postwatch, MP David Ruffley and others and Mrs Carter said: “People are outraged that we may lose our branches and really hope they will win their fight.

“The news last week of Royal Mail Chief Executive Adam Crozier's £3 million pay package was a scandal, at a time when ordinary people are fighting to save their offices.

“We have done our absolute best and have won support from everyone, we could not have done anymore to win the day.”

Post Office Ltd have said it will take about four weeks to consider people's comments after the June 2 deadline for consultations.

An announcement is then expected to follow about which branches are definitely closing, any reprieves, and any that may need further investigation.