ANOTHER landmark has been passed in The Press's battle against post office closures.

More than 3,000 people have now signed our Cut The Closures petition, opposing plans to butcher the network in our region by getting rid of dozens of branches.

Signatures have been flooding into our Walmgate headquarters ever since we launched the campaign three weeks ago, with readers registering their support online; via petition forms in the paper; and in hundreds of newsagents and Press outlets across the region.

We launched the campaign after breaking the news that some 50 post offices in York and North and East Yorkshire were set to close, on top of an earlier wave of cuts in East Yorkshire, and support is now coming in at a rate of 1,000 names a week.

Meanwhile, Fulford councillor Keith Aspden has demanded a public meeting on the future of Fulford post office.

Coun Aspden wants residents and customers to have the chance to express their views and concerns over its potential closure and has written to Postwatch and the Post Office National Consultation Team to organise a public meeting.

He said Postwatch had responded suggesting a public meeting in January, but the consultation team had passed the letter to another department.

Coun Aspden added: "A large number of local people and businesses already rely on Fulford post office, and it is all the more important because of the planned building of 700 houses in the Germany Beck development in Fulford.

"I want local representatives, the parish council, local residents and staff of Fulford post office to have an opportunity to make their views clear to the Post Office Consultation Team and to hear from the Post Office Network.

"It is very frustrating that the Post Office Network is not working with the public during this vital consultation period, but I will be pushing for a local meeting and will write to them again, as I know how important Fulford post office is to so many local residents."

Fulford is one of four York branches earmarked for closure, but it lies in the Selby Parliamentary constituency.

City of York MP Hugh Bayley has arranged a public meeting at the Priory Street Centre, York, on Thursday at 11am to discuss the proposed closure of the branches at Clifton Green; Haxby Road and Micklegate.