Local people in support of Eleanor Stanier's campaign against Post Office Closures in Barnes

10.33.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 29th Jul 2003

Susan Kramer, Sarah Ludford MEP with residents in Barnes fighting the closure of their local Post Office

On Saturday 26th July, London Lib Dem MEP Sarah Ludford, joined local Lib Dem activists in Barnes High Street to join Eleanor Stanier's campaign against post office closures in the area.

During the course of the morning over 350 signatures were collected from concerned residents.

Sarah Ludford MEP said: "The local post office is the backbone of many communities and Barnes is no exception. These closures being forced through by the government are causing particular distress to some of the most vulnerable members of our society. There must be a rethink."

Eleanor Stanier, local Lib Dem candidate in the forthcoming Mortlake by-election, who has been at the forefront of the campaign to prevent local Post Office closures, has also written to residents who will be most affected, voicing her concerns.

Eleanor Stanier commented, "The response to my campaign has been extraordinary. Local people I have spoken to are up in arms over these closures, and many have signed my petition. It is important that we do not simply stand aside and watch these closures happen, and so far, the support of local residents has been heartening."