NORTH Durham MP Kevan Jones is backing campaigners fighting the proposed closure of two post office branches.

He is calling on the Post Office to reconsider plans to shut branches in Masefield Close, East Stanley, and Hollyhill Gardens, South Stanley.

Mr Jones said: "It is clear that people in East Stanley and South Stanley are very worried at the plans to close their post offices.

"Both would be hit hard by the loss of such a vital service. I believe that these branches are still needed and valued by the community, and I am giving my full backing to residents in calling for them to be kept open.

"I have received many letters from concerned constituents, and hundreds have signed petitions against the proposed closures."

Mr Jones has written to Post Office bosses, urging for the branches to be kept open, and has requested a meeting with postal services watchdog, Postwatch.

In July, residents in nearby Craghead opened their own post office in the village hall, after the closure of two branches at opposite ends of the village.

It was set up by Craghead Area Partnership and is run on a not-for-profit basis. Extra cash generated above running costs will be funnelled through a charitable trust and spent on projects to benefit the community.

Derwentside District councillor Claire Vasey, whose ward takes in East Stanley, is also backing the campaign. She said: "It is vital that we retain Post Office services within our community, particularly for those who are elderly and those without their own transport.

"Those who make the decisions to take away these services fail to understand the impact such decisions have on both residents and small businesses."

The Stanley sites are among 11 branches in County Durham earmarked by the Post Office for closure, in a move to weed out non-viable businesses.

The proposals have met with widespread opposition. Around 1,100 people in Blackhill, near Consett, signed a petition calling for their Durham Road branch to stay open.