With just a few days left before the consultation process ends, Moray MP Angus Robertson has made a final plea to the public to ensure that they have made their views, and hardships they could face as a result of the controversial cuts, known to Post Office bosses.

Mr Robertson, who organised a series of well-supported public meetings in communities affected by the plans, said: "The level of support for our local post offices is huge, and I have received comments both in writing and as I go around Moray from many, many concerned constituents.

"We must continue to fight tooth and nail on this issue, and I would urge anyone with concerns who has not submitted a response to do so before the deadline of July 8."

It comes as Moray Council has declared its opposition to closing Elgin East End, Forres East End, Buckpool and Fife-Keith Post Offices, and to the downgrading of Rothiemay to an outreach service.

The proposals fail to take account of important demographic, economic and access issues in each of the areas, the council state.

The authority has presented evidence highlighting how some of Moray's most vulnerable people will be hardest hits by the proposals.

In a report to Wednesday's full council meeting, members heard that the Pansport Road Post Office serves one of Moray's most deprived areas, with Lesmurdie scoring particularly badly in health deprivation statistics, being in the bottom 11% in Scotland. The surrounding area has particularly low car ownership, which in itself will create problems in accessing alternative branches.

The area surrounding East End in Forres has a particularly high percentage of people aged over 75 who will find it more difficult to access the town's main post office.

Census figures in Buckpool reveal that the area has an above-average number of people who are economically inactive due to being "permanently sick or disabled", who would have difficulty accessing the main post office.

Pigeon post for Rothiemay? Villagers warn that a post office outreach service would impact severely on the rural community. NS

Fife-Keith residents would face a long walk alongside the busy A96 to access the main post office in Mid Street, should their branch close. Once Tesco relocates to its new store, there would be no alternative free banking facility to serve the Fife-Keith community, and the post office closure would threaten the viability of the attached pharmacy. The proposal also goes against the grain of regeneration work being undertaken.

Reducing the Rothiemay service to an outreach service operating just five hours a week would adversely affect the economic viability of the village's only shop. The post office currently provides the only free banking facility. Alternative branches are more than five miles away, and Rothiemay has infrequent bus links with other areas. The area is notorious for snow in the winter, which would add to difficulties in accessing other branches. Rothiemay has one of the 26 payphones in Moray on a BT hit-list for closure, and the loss of both services would be a double blow for the village.

Moray Council supports the many valid reasons why services should be saved voiced at the four public meetings organised by Mr Robertson and attended by around 500 people.

Alan MacBeth, development officer, said: "Post Office Ltd's selection process for post office closures has not taken sufficient account of some important local demographic, economic and access issues.

"The council opposes all four closures in Moray and the downgrading of a fifth branch to outreach status, and has explained the detailed reasoning behind the opposition in an official response."

The consultation ends on Tuesday, and comments should be sent to Freepost Consultation Team (no stamp required) or e-mailed to consultation@postoffice.co.uk

e.green@northern-scot.co.uk

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