THE battle is on to save five local post offices.

Taunton's Jeremy Browne (LibDem) and fellow Somerset MPs signed a Commons motion against proposals to axe 30 outlets countywide.

Local Conservatives are also protesting.

Post Office Ltd is running a six-week consultation about closing offices in Taunton's Shuttern, West Monkton, Bradford-on-Tone, West Buckland and Kingston St Mary.

Churchinford will open 13 hours a week, Lydeard St Lawrence six.

Mr Browne said: "Dozens of communities across our county will be poorer for losing their post office.

"The impact will be greatest on the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people.

"It's sad to see the network of post offices cut back so severely - a formerly great service is being stripped to the bare bones."

Mr Browne and LibDem councillors staged a demonstration outside Shuttern Post Office, when customers signed a petition.

"There's widespread public dismay about what's happening," said Mr Browne.

He also visited Kingston St Mary, where people said closure would be hugely inconvenient.

He said people should not "meekly accept the proposals" despite the Government's "absolute determination".

Local Conservative spokesman Mark Formosa met Bradford-on-Tone villagers fighting for their sub-post office.

He said: "Local post offices are the lifeblood of our communities, so we've started a petition and have set out what people can do to help stop these cuts to our valuable services.

"The Government's taken away many of the services post offices provide and then complained that people aren't using them - this is a gross injustice and people must take active steps to demonstrate the strength of public opinion."

*To object to the closures, write to Network Development Manager, FREEPOST Consultation Team or e-mail consultation@postoffice.co.uk