In the week that fuel duty was allowed to rise by yet another 2p per litre, the residents of several communities in West Lindsey, were told that their Post Offices are either being disbanded or "out reached", and in the interest of consultation, the Post Office have granted those communities affected just five weeks to object, if they so wish.

We have four Post Offices to close in West Lindsey including West Rasen, Northorpe and Trinity Street, Gainsborough, and eight to receive a limited outreach service, including Corringham, Blyton, Faldingworth, Ingham, Langworth, North Kelsey, Scampton and Tealby.

Corringham and West Rasen lie inside the Ancholme Cliff Division, which I represent and I will be pleased to help with any petitions/meetings etc. I know our member of parliament will be doing all in his power to limit the damage in the constituency, may I urge all parishes, facing a partial or total loss of their service, to realise that it is in their hands to organise petitions, legal demonstrations, write letters and form a committee to deal with all matters over the next five weeks.

We cannot allow this Government to ride roughshod over Lincolnshire residents, with their already scarce facilities, there is simply no reason to close or outreach, any one of these Post Offices, they all provide an essential service to our ratepayers. The county council has a dedicated team on hand to provide information on 01522 553038.

Other contacts for letters of objection etc.

Edward Leigh MP, 23 Queen Street, Market Rasen, 01673 844501.

Gillion Merron MP (Minister for the East Midlands), House of Commons, Westminster, London.

Pat McFadden MP (Minister for the Post Office), House of Commons, Westminster, London.

Adrian Wales (Network Development Manager), c/o National Consultation team, Freepost, Consultation Team. email consultation@postoffice.co.uk

Cllr-Lewis Strange (Ancholme and the Cliff Division) Lincolnshire C.C.