ONE IN FIVE CORNISH POST OFFICES FACE AXE

12.15.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 15th Jul 2008

One in five Cornish Post Offices face the axe as part of the Government's "Network Change" programme.

Cornwall's five Liberal Democrat MPs have condemned proposals to close 62 branches as an 'unjustified assault' on rural communities.

The news comes as Post Office HQ made its long-awaited announcement on Tuesday morning, after months of speculation about where the axe would fall. Officials claim they will consult fully on their plans but local MPs say holding a consultation over the summer will see closures go ahead without proper parliamentary or public scrutiny.

Commenting, North Cornwall's MP, Dan Rogerson said:

"This is a startling and searing attack on village life in Cornwall.

"Many of the areas affected will see their last local shop close if these decisions go ahead.

"For months, Ministers have been desperate to keep the details of the closure programme secret.

"Postmasters were even prevented from telling their own staff before the announcement went public. This has been an Orwellian process with devastating ends for our communities."

Falmouth and Camborne MP, Julia Goldsworthy added:

"We will work with local people to fight each and every one of these closures.

"Post Offices are right at the heart of many communities in Cornwall, yet it's here that the Ministerial axe is likely to hit hardest.

"We will be holding public meetings with Post Office HQ officials to let them know just how hard their "change" programme will hit our communities.

"We cannot let Post Office HQ have these branches slip away by the back door just because they have chosen a period when many people are away to undertake their consultation."

The following public meetings have already been organised:

North Cornwall - organised by Dan Rogerson MP

Wednesday 23rd July - 5.30pm, Launceston Guildhall

Wednesday 23rd July - 7.30pm, Parkhouse Centre, Bude

Thursday 24th July - 7.30pm, Wadebridge Town Hall

Truro, Falmouth, Camborne and Redruth - organised by Julia Goldsworthy MP and Terrye Teverson, Parliamentary Candidate for Truro and Falmouth

Thurs 17th July - 7pm: Flushing Village Club (led by Terrye Teverson)

Saturday 19th July -

10am: The Mills Hall, Caharrack (led by Julia Goldsworthy MP)

1.30pm: Close Hill, Drump Road Children's Centre, Redruth

(led by Julia Goldsworthy MP)

2pm: Tregolls School, Truro (led by Terrye Teverson)

3pm: Pool Business and Enterprise College (led by Julia Goldsworthy MP)

Sunday 20th July - 11am: Budock Village Hall (led by Julia Goldsworthy MP)

Tuesday 22nd July - 7pm: W.I Hall, Webber St, Falmouth (led by Terrye Teverson)