Norfolk politicians yesterday presented a petition to No 10 Downing Street on behalf of the community in Mid Norfolk, calling on the Prime Minister to save local post offices scheduled for closure.

George Freeman, Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for the new Mid Norfolk constituency, with the support of Christopher Fraser, MP for South West Norfolk and Keith Simpson, MP for Mid Norfolk travelled to London to present the petition calling on the Government to re-think their policy of post office closures.

George Freeman, who launched the 'Save our Mid Norfolk Post Offices' campaign said: "During the consultation, we have collected hundreds of signatures from people in Mid Norfolk who oppose the Government's policy of closing Post Offices. The EDP has run an excellent campaign to inform the people of Norfolk, many of whom have come out on to the street to demonstrate their concern People are fed up with sham consultations.

Now is the time for Mr Brown to show that he is in touch and in control, by listening and stopping the cuts."

The consultation period ended on 2nd June and a final announcement on the sites to be closed has yet to be made.

Christopher Fraser MP said, "I am delighted to support George in his Mid Norfolk campaign. I know from my own work in South West Norfolk the strength of feeling among local people about the impact of the proposed closures. They will hit the most vulnerable groups hardest. I firmly believe that it is part of the Government's one-size-fits-all urban agenda that demonstrates time and time again that the Prime Minister does not understand or care about the rural community."

Keith Simpson MP said, "I strongly support George Freeman's Mid Norfolk campaign. Villages in Mid Norfolk have already lost vital services like banks, shops, and pubs, and the future without a post office is bleak. Gordon Brown can be in no doubt that this is a hugely unpopular policy. It is now time for the Government to listen and reverse its funding decision."

Photo: George Freeman with Christoper Fraser MP and Keith Simpson MP presenting the petition against post office closures in Mid Norfolk."