COMMUNITIES rocked by news that dozens of post offices in the region will close have been offered a faint glimmer of hope.

Post Office Limited insisted that the 37 branch closures announced for east Cleveland, south Durham and Richmond would start next month.

But bosses said that, while there is no appeal process, they were prepared to talk to councils and voluntary groups that wanted to explore options for replacement services.

A Post Office Limited spokesman said: "We are very willing to work with local authorities and other groups who want to fund, and provide premises and staff for, additional services in their community."

Last night, community groups such as Kirk Merrington Community Association, near Spennymoor, County Durham, welcomed the statement.

Treasurer Morris Davies said: "We were disappointed that our branch was not saved, but will pursue talks about running a part-time service in the village hall, with the support of Spennymoor Town Council.

"It will be good to talk to the Post Office to see what can still be done for the community."

Yesterday, the Local Government Association staged a conference for campaigners trying of save some of the 2,500 branches scheduled for closure in the national network review. Decisions will be made in July on sites in other parts of Durham, Tyneside, Wearside and Northumberland.

Officials from Hartlepool, Harrogate, Gateshead and York councils attended the event.

Several councils and voluntary groups raised the idea of providing postal services in libraries, sports centres and other local public buildings.

Some councils are considering subsidising services in their area, such as Essex County Council, which has set aside £1.5m to try to save 15 of the 31 branches due to close there.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council wants to use its mobile shop to visit the four communities affected by closures in its area.

Durham County Council is still considering its response to the announcement.

Three national charities have set up a free service to advise rural communities about how to continue offering a post office service if the changes affect their area.

The expertsonline.org site is a joint initiative between charities Ruralnet, Action for Market Towns and Action with Communities in Rural England.

3:03am Thursday 15th May 2008

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