THE leader of a council has called on the Post Office to open the books of branches threatened with closure.

Darlington Borough Council could step in to keep the shops open, the authority announced yesterday.

Councillor John Williams has written to the Post Office watchdog condemning its decision not to call for a review into the proposed closure of five post offices in the borough.

He said he got in touch with Postwatch Northern England to express "surprise and disappointment" that it has not called for a review.

Despite objections from staff and residents, the Post Office announced last week that it would go ahead with the closures.

Coun Williams said the council had supplied detailed objections when the plans were announced, but that the concerns were ignored.

He said: "All of the issues were highlighted and substantiated by ourselves and many others in our detailed objections.

"The Post Office's decision makes no reference to the removal or mitigation of any of these issues. I conclude, therefore, that they are all valid and remain.

"I have asked council officers to request that the Post Office opens the books of the affected Darlington post offices so we can begin to look at possible ways of working with them.

"However, I have to say that looking at the Post Office's past record in dealing with this issue, I am not overly optimistic.

"We have got to have sight of the books before any decision can be made. We have to be convinced that any council investment does not put an unnecessary burden on the council taxpayer."

Closures of the branches at Cleveland Terrace, Hopetown, Pierremont Crescent, Heighington and Hurworth will begin next month.

John Abbott, the sub-postmaster at Millbank post office, in Pierremont Crescent, said: "It would be nice if this could happen, because this is a viable branch which does not lose the Post Office money.

"There is not a lot of time left, but any glimmer of hope that could save us is welcome. We provide a vital service for the local community.

"We need to sit down and get something sorted out as soon as possible."

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

Essex County Council is attempting to provide funding to reopen 20 post offices.

Discussions began in February and it had been hoped they would be resolved within two months, but legal complications have delayed matters.