POLITICIANS from across the board are being urged to call for a public show of disapproval at the decision to axe three post offices in Swindon.

Councillors will be asked to back a motion calling on Swindon Council to express its unhappiness at the Post Office ruling.

Attempts to rally support for a campaign to help pensioners hit by the Post Office closures will also be made.

The axe will fall on the branches in Ferndale Road, Oxford Road and Clifton Street on November 15 despite a hard-fought campaign to save them.

Councillor Kevin Small is backing a campaign to persuade the council to work with the Post Office to set up a free transport scheme for elderly and disabled residents who will struggle to get to a post office when their local branch closes.

North Swindon MP Michael Wills launched the bid after the decision was announced by senior Post Office officials at the end of a consultation period.

Coun Small (Lab, Western) said: "Both our MPs are championing this cause on behalf of Swindon residents.

"This motion seeks to highlight and support the good work they are doing and to address immediate transport problems encountered by elderly and disabled people in accessing Post Office services. If the council can do something to help, it should."

The motion will be debated at the next full council meeting on November 18.

Councillor Maureen Dilley (Lab, Covingham and Nythe), who will second the motion, called for cross-party support.

"I think all councillors can sign up to this motion, whichever political group they belong to," she said.

"Three Tory councillors have already signed a petition in favour of these proposals.

"If we can help those most vulnerable to the closures we can send a strong message that we care about their well-being and are looking out for their interests." The Government was told it needed to pull up its socks'to save the post office network.

The National Federation of SubPostmasters launched a manifesto today calling for action it says is necessary to save the post office network from extinction.

Key demands include pledges that the Government must provide more funding to pay for the social and economic services provided by post offices.

It must take a leading role in ensuring all major banks allow their customers to access their bank accounts at post offices, and that a comprehensive range of local and national government services should be made accessible throughout the UK's post offices, says the Federation.