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North Wiltshire MP James Grey and postmistress Emma Hand at a protest last year

LACOCK Post Office has narrowly escaped closure but it is not out of the woods yet.

Post Office Ltd proposed the branch, along with Yatton Keynell, be shut and replaced with an outreach solution.

But after weeks of protests from villagers it was revealed today the two branches will be subject to further review by independent watchdog Postwatch.

Post Office Ltd announced seven closures across the South West this morning.

North Wiltshire MP James Gray said: "I am extremely disappointed that seven post offices in North Wiltshire are set to close.

"There may be some light at the end of the tunnel for Lacock and Yatton Keynell.

"But we must not allow the Post Office to use this tactic to conceal the fact they are closing seven post offices.

"It is not time to pop open the champagne yet. Lacock and Yatton Keynell have been under review since December, this is no change."

An outreach post office could mean a Post Office van, post office services in pubs or shops or a home delivery service.

Yatton Keynell post office manager Hillary Baker said: "This is a delay tactic from the post office. At first they offered us an outreach programme, which was completely untenable.

"We are the only post office whose business has grown in the area and to face closure is incredibly disappointing.

"There is no business in Yatton Keynell that would want to take over the running of a post office and the Post Office know this.

"I think they are just delaying because the only solution would be to have a mobile post office and they don't have the vans made up yet."

2:42pm Friday 22nd February 2008

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