Yeovil Constituency MP David Laws is continuing to campaign to save Somerset post offices from closure.

David Laws MP said “4,000 post offices have already closed in the past decade. Now the Government is planning to close a further 2,500.

“Previous Governments were no better, with the Conservatives closing 3,500 post offices when they were last in power.

"The network has been cut to the bone, which is wrong when post offices provide a lifeline for so many residents. They are particularly valued by older people and those who do not have access to private transport.

"The Government is announcing these closures early in 2008. The fear is that as many as one-in-five of the existing post offices will be closed.

"The Government is overseeing the gradual shut-down of a once-great service. Instead it should be far more ambitious for the post office by investing in the network and liberating the Royal Mail to compete properly with its commercial rivals.

“The Government should also provide its own services from post offices rather than continuing to withdraw them.

"The Government seems determined to go ahead with the post office closures. Their plans will damage communities across Somerset and I will continue to campaign strongly for the maintenance of a proper post office network."