A COUNCIL is to consider fighting plans to close seven post offices.

Plans to shut the branches in York, as part of a nationwide cost-cutting exercise, were announced last week.

Tomorrow, City of York Council will hold an urgent meeting to discuss action to save some of the services.

Councillor Mark Hill, who called the meeting of the scrutiny management committee, said: "This is a disaster that is going to affect thousands of people. The post offices are hubs of little shopping streets. I would like to see some of the seven post offices removed from the list and I hope that's what will happen."

Branches under threat are Albermarle Road, Bishopthorpe Road, Boroughbridge Road, Clarence Street, Fishergate, Gale Lane and Holgate.

The Post Office has stressed that no final decision would be made without public consultation. Campaigners are gathering objections and a petition has been started to save the Fishergate branch.

York MP Hugh Bayley has voiced his concern. Last month, the Post Office said four offices in Harrogate and one in Ripon were to close, despite local objections.