CAMPAIGNERS fear that the "death knell" has sounded for many Lake District communities, after the Government announced yesterday (Thursday) that it was to close 2,500 post offices throughout the country by 2009.

Trade Secretary Alistair Darling said that post offices were to be axed because the network was unsustainable.

Four million fewer people were using the post offices every week than two years ago and the entire network was losing £4m a week, he said.

Mr Darling said that the closures, combined with £1.7bn of investment, would create a sustainable network.

But Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron, who campaigned against the closures, condemned the move.

"The Government is sounding the death knell for many communities across the country," he said.

For full story, see May 18 issue of The Westmorland Gazette.