COUNCILLORS are to seek reassurances that services at Chippenham's main post office will not be downsized if it becomes part of a convenience store.

The Post Office is negotiating with Primeco to take over the management of the post office in Market Place in January next year.

As part of the deal, the 55-year-old post office would become part of a convenience store.

The Post Office has already pledged there will be no loss of services but many councillors fear the changes will be the first step towards running down services at the busy branch office.

Last week the town council's strategy and resources committee agreed to seek assurances that existing services would be maintained.

Members have also invited the Post Office to the next meeting of the full town council, later this month, to discuss the changes.

Former Chippenham Mayor Desna Allen, said: "We want to have some input into the proposed changes and stay on the frontline."

This week North Wiltshire District Council's executive committee is expected to support the Gazette's campaign to save the post office.

Chippenham Mayor Ross Henning, said that ideally the post office would stay as it is although he admitted that may be unrealistic.

"The introduction of shops in smaller rural post office seems to have worked, but this is a main post office," he said.

But not all town councillors are in favour of the campaign.

Coun Phil Allnatt said: "It is ironic that at a time when there is a small renaissance in the village post office by subsidy, voluntary work and selling groceries, the campaign actually resists a similar solution for town post offices."