Ref. 72758-02DEFLATED Swindonians have rallied behind a bid to get pensioners free transport to the post office once three branches in Swindon are axed.

North Swindon MP Michael Wills believes elderly people will be the biggest losers when counters in Ferndale Road, Oxford Road and Clifton Street close on November 15.

So he has launched a petition, which is available to sign at each of the doomed services, calling on the Post Office and Swindon Council to provide pensioners and people who have disabilities with transport to alternative branches.

Gordon Walters, 74, who lives yards away from the doomed post office in Clifton Street, has applauded the idea.

"It's brilliant because there are no buses or anything up here whatsoever," he said.

"Some elderly people just won't be able to make it to other branches so they would really appreciate free transport. I'm pleased Michael Wills is trying to do something about it."

The Labour MP, who launched his petition outside the post office in Ferndale Road on Friday, said his idea would only cost about £40 a week.

"It wouldn't cost either the Post Office or the borough council much to make a difference," he said. "The council has a responsibility to do their bit to help those in need, particularly the elderly.

"But I need people to help push this by signing a petition."

Jemima Milton (Con, Wroughton and Chiseldon), Swindon Council's lead member for transport, who is also backing the idea, wants the government to stump up the cash.

"You cannot expect a local authority which is already under enormous pressure to find extra money but we need to look at it carefully," she said.

Post Office chiefs decided to axe three counters in Swindon and three others in Wiltshire and Gloucestershire after an eight-week consultation period.

They sifted through viability figures and worked their way through letters, comments and petitions sent to them.

Senior officials say the tough closure decisions were made to improve the sustainability of other post offices in the area.

Efforts to save the services, including the Adver's campaign which asked readers to complete and return protest slips, have received wide-spread praise.

Ben Payne