PEOPLE across north Wiltshire are gearing up for the battle to save their rural post offices.

Action groups and campaigns have been set up in the wake of the closure announcements.

An emergency meeting between Yatton Keynell, Kington St Michael, Castle Combe, Biddestone and Grittleton parish councils was held at the weekend to establish a course of action.

Leader of Yatton Keynell Parish Council Christopher Dash said: "This is something we all feel so strongly about and we are going to fight this decision all the way.

"We are preparing letters to send to all villagers who can then send them on to the Post Office and show their grievance.

"All of the parish councils in the county have united as one body to fight this."

On top of the support from parish councils, hundreds of villagers in the county have contacted the Countryside Alliance for advice.

The Wessex regional director for the alliance, Delly Everard, said: "The Government really hasn't looked at the bigger picture and realised they are breaking up communities.

"We are urging people to support their local post offices by joining the campaign."

Villagers in Kington St Michael are also gearing up to save their post office, named as one which could close.

Parishioners bought the Kington St Michael Shop earlier this year and, although the post office is separate from the community owned shop, many are desperate to see it remain.

Chairman of the shop committee Roger Sealy said: "The proposed closure is a serious blow to the village."

North Wiltshire MP James Gray has branded as wildly inaccurate,the information which the Post Office used to make its decision.

He said: "I discovered the bus timetable information it had used when deciding to close the Bradenstoke branch was incorrect. I immediately informed them of their mistake because it means there are less buses taking people to Lyneham if their post office closes."