THE campaign to stop the axe falling on several York post offices gathered pace as councillors petitioned an area threatened by a double closure.

Labour's Micklegate ward councillors today rallied to save the Bishopthorpe Road and Albemarle Road sub post offices in their ward.

Their petition comes after the Post Office confirmed seven outlets faced the axe as part of cost-cutting measures.

Both sub post offices, along with others in Boroughbridge Road, Clarence Street, Fishergate, Gale Lane and Holgate Road, could shut by November.

Customers and politicians expressed outrage at the plans and a petition has already been launched to save Fishergate.

Now Micklegate councillors have leapt into action and hit the streets to deliver leaflet petitions in affected areas.

This morning they ran a stall at the corner of Scarcroft Road, near the threatened Bishopthorpe Road sub post office, to build support.

Coun Dave Evans said: "It is essential we get as many people as possible to have their say during the consultation period."

Coun Sandy Fraser said: "Local post offices are a vital community service, and closing two in our ward is unacceptable.

"This will leave a whole community without a local neighbourhood post office.

"We know older people in particular rely on post office services. It is not reasonable to expect them to trek across the city."

Labour leader Coun Dave Merrett called on customers to sign up. "With your help we are sending a strong message to the Post Office," he said. "We are showing how much we value these branches and we hope they will think again."

A Royal Mail spokeswoman said the company appreciated impact of closures on older customers.

But many branches were struggling and closures were needed to keep the rest of the network viable.

She said: "If these closures go ahead, the vast majority of customers would still have a post office within a mile of their homes."

Council leaders will meet postal chiefs on September 20 and a public meeting will follow.

Customers have until October 4 to submit their comments as part of the consultation process.

Updated: 11:45 Saturday, September 04, 2004