MID-WORCESTERSHIRE MP Peter Luff has warned there is "a real danger" the Post Office network will become inadequate if more stores close.

Mr Luff, chairman of the parliamentary select commitee on trade and industry, has asked the Government and the Post Office to rethink the future of the service. A quarter of post offices in the UK have closed since 1997, and there are fears up to 100 of Worcestershire's rural and urban sub-post offices could close in the next two years under the Government's restructuring programme.

Mr Luff has put together a report about the restructuring, calling for the public to have more of a say.

The MP wants a country-wide consultation period on post offices to be extended to 12 weeks, rather than kept at six.

Mr Luff said: "The post office network cannot be left as it is, with low morale among sub postmasters and the likelihood of significant numbers of closures which leave gaps in provision. We therefore welcome the Government's determination to establish a comprehensive national network.

"However, we want that network to be sustainable."

As we reported last week, the post office in Worcester is relocating from Foregate Street to WH Smith in the High Street. The Post Office is currently losing £70m a year.

l A petition by Tory hopeful Robin Walker in Worcester's High Street on Saturday, got 615 signatures opposing the move to WH Smith.