Hopes that under-threat post offices in and around Dunstable could be kept open with local authority funding are wide of the mark, it has been announced.

Three local branches - two in Dunstable and one in Eaton Bray - have been earmarked for closure as part of a nationwide cull of 2,500 outlets. They are in High Street South, Luton Road and Eaton Bray High Street.

People affected by the proposals have until August 26 to make their feelings known, and Gazette readers have thrown their weight behind our campaign to keep them open.

Many have pointed to the example set by Essex County Council, which plans to reopen 15 post offices using its own funding.

But Councillor Philip Penman, who is responsible for finance at South Beds District Council, said the measure would not be practical in Bedfordshire.

He said: "We have no funding in our budgets to carry out this support.

"We haven't got the sort of money available as district councils and as a county council to do what they're doing in Essex."

He added that strict rules set down by postal service chiefs would make it difficult for councils to step in.

For the full story, see the August 6 edition of the Dunstable Gazette, on sale at 40p

Join our campaign to save threatened post offices by clicking here.