BLACKBURN Post Office is to be handed over to a franchise, in a move which could see its 21 staff having to re-apply for their own jobs.

Post Office Ltd, the firm which runs post offices up and down the country, announced it planned to create a partnership agreement' with a new firm called NewsPlus (Blackburn) Ltd to run the town's Crown Post Office.

The Ainsworth Street branch will be taken over by NewsPlus, a newly-formed company with a management team that has also run a post office in the Trafford Centre, in October.

Bosses claim the move will secure its long term future.

Post Office Ltd says the changes are not open to public debate, but now union leaders are to have urgent meetings with concerned staff, and may oppose the plans.

Andy Tatchell, Communication Workers Union branch secretary for north Lancashire and Cumbria, said: "I will be meeting with the membership as quickly as I can to talk about their concerns.

"Phone calls have already been received from interested parties in the town who cannot understand why, with all the new money coming into Blackburn for regeneration, it won't have a Crown Post Office.

"The union's policy is to oppose franchising of Crown Post Offices."

Blackburn post office will not be moving from its current site, and will continue to sell other products including stationery, newspapers and confectionery.

But a Post Office spokesman has revealed 21 staff members, including full and part-time, and managers, will face three choices to re-apply for their current jobs, to find work elsewhere within Post Office Ltd, or to take voluntary redundancy.

The move is similar to plans announced in Accrington last month, which will see the Abbey Street branch taken over by a firm called UBF Ltd.

The proposals are part of a cost-cutting drive which could see an unspecified number of Crown Post Offices across the country handed over to franchises to save money.

Adrian Wales, post office network service manager, said: "This change will help secure the long-term future of the branch.

"In partnership with NewsPlus, we will continue to provide the high standard of service and range of products currently available at the branch.

"We are totally confident that they have the ability to run a main branch."

Anybody wishing to comment should write by August 29 to the National Consultation Team, PO Box 2060, Watford, WD18 8ZW.