THE battle to save what villagers describe as an "indispensable" community facility has been raised in the House of Commons.

New Forest East MP Dr Julian Lewis has presented the Government with a petition signed by 366 residents who are fighting proposals to close their local post office.

Bramshaw Post Office could be axed under a national closure programme in a move that would also threaten the survival of the village shop.

Campaigners say the closure of the two facilities would have a devastating impact on the community, which has already lost its bus service. Old people without a car would have to walk three miles along roads with no pavements to reach either Cadnam or Landford.

Dr Lewis told the Commons that residents had been plunged into despair by the "astonishing" proposal to shut Bramshaw Post Office.

He added: "Bramshaw's bus services have been discontinued and many vulnerable, elderly people will be isolated and put at risk on long walks to Cadnam along a busy road with no footpaths."

Dr Lewis quoted one 93-year-old resident as saying that the closure of the post office would "tear the heart out of the village".

The petition states that the loss of the post office would have a devastating effect on the welfare of the many elderly and vulnerable people who live in the village.

It adds: "The petitioners request that the House of Commons urges the government and Post Office Ltd to reverse the proposal to close this indispensable branch."

Dr Lewis said he had also received a petition from residents battling to save Testwood Post Office in Salisbury Road, Totton.

He added: "Communities are absolutely distraught at the widespread destruction of the Post Office network.

"The fact that the Government has put off discussion of such closures in areas where local elections are due in May shows it's well aware of the huge unpopularity of its policy of closures."

A decision on the future of Bramshaw Post Office is due to be announced in the next few days.