VILLAGERS are concerned about the sudden closure of post office branches in Chorley villages this week.

Cllr Paul Clarke, who represents the Coppull ward, is calling for the reopening of the offices as soon as possible as they are a ‘lifeline’ for the communities.

He said: “There have been signs in the windows saying that an audit is taking place.

“The post office are not giving much away but there needs to be some provision.

“I think Coppull has lost something when the Royal Bank of Scotland closed.

“This was a service for people who do not have cars and have to travel on a bus and that is putting pressure on them.

“I think people need that face-to-face service.”

A Post Office spokesman said: “We sincerely apologise to customers for any inconvenience caused by the temporary closures of Higher Adlington and Coppull post offices in Chorley.

“We understand and appreciate how much communities rely on our services.

“We would like to reassure customers that the decision to suspend services at any of our branches is never taken lightly.

“We take very seriously any decision to change the way a branch is operated, and will only do so when it is warranted by the circumstances of the particular case, for example to protect customers, Post Office assets or the safety and security of the Post Office network.

“We are working hard to restore services for the community as quickly as possible.”