A RESIDENTS' group is furious postal chiefs will not meet them over the proposed closure of their Post Office.

The Whitebirk counter, in Burnley Road, is due to close in September as part of its urban reinvention scheme.

Branches in Intack and Furthergate will stay open and be refurbished.

Some 27 East Lancashire urban post offices are earmarked for closure in a bid to ensure the remainder are viable businesses. Nationally, 3,000 of the 9,000 are to close.

But despite leaving its decision open to consultation until next month, the Post Office has turned down a request from Whitebirk and Intack Residents' Association for a public meeting to discuss the closure, saying managers had to prioritise requests for debates.

Chairwoman Jacqueline McGrew, of Devon Road, said: "It's maddening that the Post Office did not have a discussion with us first. Surely it's better to have a face-to-face meeting."

She said people were alerted to the Whitebirk branch closure through a Post Office letter. So she wrote to its national consultation team on June 3, asking for a senior boss to attend a public meeting.

Spokesman Simon Smith replied: "I regret our managers have to prioritise their attendance at meetings, and demand outstrips availability. So I must decline your invitation.

"However, we would be happy for you to send any issues that might arise from your meeting to be considered as part of the consultation process."

He added the Whitebirk branch struggled to make a profit to allow reinvestment.

Mrs McGrew has arthritis and finds it painful walking long distances - and said people like her now faced more discomfort by having to travel further to post offices.

But Mr Smith said: "Our aim is to ensure 95 per cent of people live within one mile of the nearest branch.

"We understand some customers will have a slightly longer journey, which we regret.

"But we are doing everything we can to minimise the impact on the elderly and less mobile."

OPINION: Page 10