THE postal service watchdog is being urged to intervene in the row over plans to relocate Bournemouth's main post office.

Representatives from Postwatch will travel to Bournemouth next Thursday to meet with councillors and hear their concerns over the Post Office's move to the first floor of WH Smith.

More than 2,500 people signed a petition against the move, arguing it would cause difficulties for disabled people.

The main issues of concern are the steep ramp and small lift at WH Smith. The Post Office's plans to provide small wheelchairs for customer use and site a desk downstairs have also been deemed unsatisfactory.

Cllr Nick King, a member of the Conservative cabinet, said councillors of all parties were determined to "try every route" to get the Post Office to think again.

"We want to make the Post Office aware that WH Smith plan to site the service somewhere that is not acceptable," he said.

"If it goes there, WH Smith need to make changes to make it accessible to disabled people.

"But if that doesn't happen, we will do everything we can to give support to people who wish to use the Disability Discrimination Act or do whatever else they can to force them into making it accessible for everyone."

Gary Hepburn, of Postwatch, said the visit would be a "fact-finding mission" to look at WH Smith and listen to councillors' concerns.

"The move to Smith's is happening in a lot of places, it's a partnership arrangement between the Post Office and Smith's and it's generally something we support because it means that some branches that were threatened are now secure for the next seven to nine years.

"We need to look at issues like access and position and see what people's concerns are before we discuss that with Post Office Limited."