Philip Dunne, MP for Ludlow, today urged action to safeguard Ludlow's remaining Post Offices and protect vital community facilities. The call comes following last week's rally of 1,000 sub-postmasters who marched on Parliament to protest at Post Office closures. A Government Minister responded that there are "too many offices".

Under Labour, a quarter of the Post Office network has already closed and more cuts are expected as a result of Labour's plans to abolish the Post Office Card Account in 2010. Branches across the country also face threats from the cancellation of rural Post Office subsidy in 2008; the direct payment of benefits; DVLA moves to renew car tax online and the opening of new regional Passport Offices.

Royal Mail bosses have said the Post Office network could be reduced to just 4,000 branches which might mean up to 36 closing in the Ludlow constituency.

In response, Conservatives have launched an Action Plan to save local Post Offices:

• Giving Sub-Post Offices greater freedoms to offer a wider range of commercial products.
• Pushing for more Post Offices to be 'one stop shops' for central government services.
• Campaigning to save the Post Office Card Account from being axed.
• Encouraging local councils to consider opening 'council counters' in local branches.

Mr Dunne explained: "Post offices are the lifeblood of Ludlow's community. But their future is now under real threat. The Government needs to understand the importance of their valuable social role and Labour must end the damaging uncertainty over the future of the network.

Local sub-postmaster Gwilym Butler, who runs Cleobury Mortimer Post Office, joined the rally and met Mr Dunne to emphasise the threat to Post Office's in Shropshire.

Photo: Philip Dunne MP supporting Cleobury Mortimer sub-postmaster Gwilym Butler, who joined the rally in Westminster to fight for post offices in Shropshire