COUNCILLORS have vowed to fight plans to close up to nine post offices throughout Cleveland.

The Post Office announced the proposed closures in Eaglescliffe, Hartburn, Stockton, Guisborough, Billingham and Middlesbrough last week.

Those affected include branches in Esk Close, Guisborough; Station Road, Eaglescliffe; Upsall Grove, Fairfield; Hartburn Village; Low Grange Avenue, Billingham; and four in Middlesbrough.

David Mellow-Facer, Post Office area manager, said the closures were necessary to safeguard the future of other shops in the area.

He claimed declining customer numbers, increasing running costs and changes to benefit payments had forced them to make cuts.

"The harsh reality is that many urban offices are struggling to survive because there are too many branches for the amount of business," he said.

"We have considered this situation very carefully and have concluded that if these offices were to close, it would improve the long-term prospects of the other 42 urban offices in the area."

Coun Bob Gibson, leader of Stockton Council, said: "We will be opposing this and will speak to officers and councillors in the relevant wards to draw together a plan of opposition, which will include talking to residents and users and petitioning and lobbying the Post Office.

"After the initial meeting with ward councillors, we will be seeking the support of local MPs and contacting Mr Mellows-Facer.

"This is becoming an almost annual occurrence and, if not stopped, there won't be a post office left open in the borough."

Coun Graham Jeffery, whose Guisborough Town Council ward includes the Esk Close post office, said its closure would be devastating for the community.

He said: "This proposal is totally wrong. The shop is superb and well-used by local people.

"If it closes, people will have to go to the town centre post office, which is too small for a town of this size. You can queue in there for 20 minutes just to get some stamps."

But Egglescliffe parish councillor Ann Cooper, who runs the Station Road post office in Eaglescliffe, said she was hoping to retire and was quite happy with the proposed closure of the business.

"The business is no longer viable and we have lost customers to personal banking," she said.

"I do feel sorry for the customers, especially for the older ones. However, there two other post offices nearby. There is another one in Eaglescliffe and one in Yarm and both are on the bus route."

Coun Cooper owns the Station Road building and plans to sell it if the closure goes ahead.

Mr Mellows-Facer said: "We are proposing to close these nine offices in August, but before we make a final decision we are keen to hear of any concerns customers and others might have."

Any comments should be addressed to the National Consultation Team, PO Box 2060, Watford WD18 8ZW by June 7.