THE fight to save a closure-threatened post office has been backed by North Durham MP Kevan Jones.

The sub-post office in Picktree Lane, Chester-le-Street, is scheduled to close in August, as part of a national shake-up of the service.

Nationally, the Government is planning to pay benefits directly into recipients' bank accounts, making some businesses no longer viable.

The move has angered residents, who have launched a campaign to save it.

One of the protestors, Ann Dinsdale, from Chester-le-Street said: "Even the main post office, for some people, is very, very difficult to get to, it's right the other end of town.

"For a lot of elderly people, visiting the shop was giving them a chance to get out and do something for themselves."

The Picktree Lane branch was threatened four years ago when plans were put forward to demolish it to make way for the redevelopment of the nearby Park Road garage.

At the time, more than 1,000 signatures objecting to the move were collected.

Post Office Ltd says it is carrying out the restructuring because there are too many branches in many towns and cities for the amount of business available.

But Mr Jones echoed residents' concerns that some people will have difficulty reaching other branches in the town.

He said: "I have been approached by a number of residents who are very concerned about the proposed closure of the post office and following consultation it is clear it will have a detrimental effect on the community.

"Older residents are particularly concerned because alternative branches identified by the post office are not easy to access."

One of the leading campaigners was Chester-le-Street District Councillor Keith Lambert, who died of what is believed to be a heart attack while on holiday in Cyprus on June 7. His funeral took place yesterday at Chester-le-Street Methodist Church.

A petition against the closure is to be handed in to the Post Office's national consultation team before Tuesday's deadline for responses.

The Post Office has said that anyone else wanting to make their views known should write to the head of area, David Mellows-Facer before the deadline at; National Consultation Team, PO Box 641, St Albans, AL1 5XN.