On receiving the list of threatened branches on Tuesday, the council immediately promised to do all it could to try to keep them open for the sake of their communities.

Possible action extends to offering some council services there to make the post offices more viable or the council buying some franchises.

The authority also indicated that it could consider locating some post offices in council buildings if it meant customers would not lose out.

"We have got to find different ways forward but we are concentrating on fighting to save every one of the 16 post offices," said council leader Paul Scriven.

"They are the glue that holds communities together, particularly for the elderly and other vulnerable people. They are an absolute lifeline. You find that when a post office goes, it often affects a whole shopping area and the vibrancy of a community."

Coun Scriven promised "the biggest campaign of its kind in the city", urging people to to sign petitions in libraries and First Point offices in Union Street or online on the council website.

"We want to send out a resounding 'No' to any closures to those in charge of deciding which branches close and which survive. They live far away from the people whose lives will be affected by these closures and can't see how vital post offices are to the local community."

The petition will be sent to Downing Street, "so that Post Offices Ltd and the Government are left in no doubt about the strength of feeling in our city".

Hallam MP and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said he was "appalled" at the proposed closure of post offices in the area. "It is another sign of the arrogance of Gordon Brown's Labour Government, who always think they know best for local communities."

He added: "The Liberal Democrats have a fully-costed plan that would not only keep open these post offices, but would also allow for the expansion of the services that the Post Office provides."

Hillsborough Labour MP Angela Smith said she was very concerned about the potential closure of Deepcar and Loxley branches.

"What the proposals do not take into account is the demography of a place like Sheffield," she said. "Both Deepcar and Loxley are on a very steep hill which does not make it easy for people to access other post offices and services.

"I will also be arguing that the Post Office needs to explore other alternatives, including working with the council to make sure the services continue. It is in Paul Scriven's hands to open dialogue with the Post Office."

A campaign group, Sheffield Communities Against Post Office Closures, has been mobilising opposition to closures for months, securing 8,000 petition signatures.

Spokesperson Alistair Tice said: "If these closures go ahead, local communities will be damaged across the city.

It concerns me to see branches in places like Norfolk Park, Grimesthorpe, Firth Park, Wincobank and Southey on the list.

"A lot of people are struggling to make ends meet following massive increases in the price of gas, petrol and food plus increased mortgage payments. Now they face the loss of this vital service in their local community."

The group said that internet banking and mainstream banks have been shown not to be an option for many people on the lowest incomes.

People with disabilities find that the Post Office provides sensitive help filling in forms, saving and withdrawing their money and plays an important role in keeping neighbours in touch with each other.

The proposed closure programme is a part of a national strategy to shut 2,500 post offices across the country. A consultation programme runs until September 22.

Post Office bosses say more than 90% of the population will either see no change to the branch they currently use or they will be within one mile, measured by road distance, of an alternative branch.

Adrian Wales, Post Office Ltd's Network development manager for the North East, said: "Taking the decision to close any post office branch is always very difficult and we know it will cause concern to many of our customers.

"We want to ensure that everyone who uses, relies on, or has any concern with Post Office services is both fully aware of the proposed changes and able to give views on them.

"We believe these proposals offer the best prospect for a sustainable way forward for Post Office services in this area, bearing in mind the minimum access criteria and the other factors we have to take into account."



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