PENSIONERS today hit out over plans to privatise Blackburn's busy town centre post office.

Customers, particularly the elderly, who use the Ainsworth Street facility on a daily basis to collect pensions, pay bills and post mail, said they would join any protest over the plans.

Post Office Ltd revealed the plans to sell the operation to a franchise operator earlier this week, and said they would not affect the quality of service provided.

But one woman who worked at the post office until she left to find a new job when the announcement was made, said staff felt they had been treated like a piece of meat.' Under the plans due to come into force in October, a new firm called NewsPlus (Blackburn) Ltd will form a partnership agreement' with the post office to take over the running of the facility.

Such moves have already been taken in areas including Preston and Accrington.

Staff at the post office have been told they can take voluntary redundancy, re-apply for a job under the new management or try to find work elsewhere within the Post Office organisation itself.

The 40-year-old staff member, who asked not to be named, said: "It's the way that they have done it, it's not on. We are like a piece of meat, thrown away."

Union bosses were due to meet with members last night to decide what action to take. Nationally the Communication Workers' Union policy is to oppose such franchises.

Post office bosses have said the changes are not open to public debate, but have said they will accept comments. Roselyn Hanlon, 73, of Blackburn, said: "There are always people I know here, and the staff are really nice. I don't want to see the quality change."

Tom Shuttleworth, 83, of Blackburn, said: "If I saw a petition I would sign it."