COUNCIL leaders are to meet with senior Post Office staff to discuss plans to axe seven branches in York.

City of York Council's ruling executive will meet David Mellows-Facer, Post Office head of area, on Monday, September 20.

This will be followed by a public meeting, called earlier this week, which will allow residents to grill Post Office bosses on the closures.

Branches in Albemarle Road, Bishopthorpe Road, Boroughbridge Road, Clarence Street, Fishergate, Gale Lane and Holgate Road all face the axe.

Council deputy leader Andrew Waller said the committee would be pressing the Post Office on the need to maintain levels of public service around the city.

"It is also important to demonstrate the plans they have to ensure that the remaining Post Offices remain viable so that we do not need to go through the process again in a short period of time."

A consultation process into the closures is already under way, and members of the public have until October 4 to submit their comments.

Updated: 10:32 Friday, August 27, 2004