CIVIC leaders in Westbury are demanding Post Office bosses create a new outlet in the town before they shut a 'declining' branch.

A review of west Wiltshire post offices has seen the Westbury Leigh branch included in a list of nine earmarked for closure.

Westbury Town Council is calling on the company to install a new post office on the Leigh Park estate first.

At a meeting on Monday, members spoke of their fears for pensioners who would suffer from the proposed closure.

Cllr Charlie Finbow said: "I think any closure is a bad thing for residents. If they close this, which one will be next, The Ham?"

Cllr Marion Clegg criticised the proposal because there is no bus service to ferry existing customers to the town centre branch.

She said: "It goes against their own criteria."

In a letter to the council the Post Office's head of commercial urban area (Wales and The West) Dave Barrett explained the proposed closure.

He said: "This branch, which is in inadequate premises, has seen a significant decline in already very low levels of business following the construction of the bypass and the relocation of the local school.

"This has been exacerbated by the removal of the online Lottery terminal as a result of poor sales.

"The ongoing development at Leigh Park has not impacted positively on business at the branch and there is no reason to believe that will change."

The Post Office also proposes closing three branches in Trowbridge, three in Warminster and two in Melksham.

To support the remaining service bosses have pledged £52,793 to other branches.

Post Office users have until October 27 to make their views known to independent watchdog Postwatch.

To have your say call 08456 013265, email info@postwatch.co.uk or write to Postwatch South and West, Egdon Hall, Lynch Lane, Weymouth, DT4 9DN.