AN MP has hit out at plans to close a market town's Royal Mail delivery office and move its operations elsewhere.

Staff have been reassured that there are no plans for compulsory redundancies following the decision to close the Guisborough branch, in Morgan Drive, in February next year.

But Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland Labour MP Tom Blenkinsop believes the move will have a detrimental effect on mail services in the area.

He said: "This will, I am convinced, mean a worse deal for both Guisborough residents and businesses and for the loyal postmen and women working from that office.

"For local people and local traders, there will be fears of later deliveries, and the fears of a total loss of delivery during winter weather.

"There will also be a loss of a local facility to pick up parcels which may have come when a householder has not been in to take delivery, with the only option for those affected residents being to either travel to Redcar to retrieve their delivery, or to face a long wait for another delivery.

"The people who will have to bear the brunt of this closure will be the local postmen and women, who have been loyally serving the town for many years. We are told that there will be no compulsory redundancies, but that doesn't mean there won't be job losses.

"From seeing what has been happening around the rest of the country, this cannot be ruled out."

Royal Mail bosses say the move of the Guisborough operation, which delivers mail to customers in the TS14 postcode areas, will provide improved working conditions, secure employment and a more cost-effective operation.

The company says detailed planning has been taking place in recent weeks to ensure a smooth transition for its customers and staff in Guisborough.

Royal Mail's North-East collections and delivery director, Bob Storey, said: "We are working with our people on the change and will be discussing the implications to them as individuals."

Customers are being reassured that a service will be set up to provide free redelivery for certain items and Royal Mail is looking at alternative ways of dealing with other undelivered post following the move.

An exact day for the move has yet to be decided.