THE time has come to fight to keep post offices open in Dorset.

That's the message from the Countryside Alliance who are rallying to fight plans to close 24 post offices in the county.

The alliance is urging residents to not only continue to use and support their local branches but to make their views known to the Prime Minister and the national consultation team.

Post Office bosses announced this week about the possible closures of many rural post offices in West Dorset.

These include post offices in Buxton Road at Wyke Regis, Dorchester Road in Weymouth, Monmouth Road in Dorchester, Fordington Green as well as at West Bay, Worth Matravers and Owermoigne.

Wessex regional director for the alliance Delly Everand said that she thinks the Government has missed the point on post offices'.

She said: "This is sad news and will come as a shock to all those sub-post masters on the list, but the fight certainly does not end here.

"Post offices are the social heart of many communities and without them thousands of people - including many elderly and disabled - would be increasingly isolated.

"The Government must look at the bigger picture before deciding the fate of many of our local communities.

"People all over Britain are sending the Government the clear message - we love our post offices."

Leader of West Dorset District Council Robert Gould said they have been helping local communities in West Dorset to prepare and set aside funding for new outreach services.

He said: "We are aware of the importance of the post office in many of our communities and have been preparing for this announcement for the last 18 months.

"We will continue to work with communities to help them respond to the post office and then to minimise the impact on any of the closures.

"We are committed to helping to retain rural services in the district."

To contact the team, write to National Consultation Team, Post Office Ltd, Freepost Consultation Team, email consultation@postoffice. co.uk or call 08457 223344.