A TORY MP is fighting to save a threatened post office in Southend.

Rochford and Southend East MP James Duddridge has sent a submission to the Post Office opposing plans to close the branch at 88 Sutton Road, Southend.

The branch in Sutton Road and another at Argosy Toys, in London Road, Westcliff, have been put forward for closure.

Mr Duddridge said: “Since 1993, we have seen the number of post office branches in Rochford and Southend East halved from 23 to 13.

“Local residents are opposed to the plans and the message I have sent to the Post Office is: enough is enough.

“Closing the Sutton Road branch would hit the most vulnerable sections of our communities hardest.”

Proposals to close about 2,500 post offices nationwide were announced in December 2006, but the Sutton Road branch was only put on the closure list in June. The consultation ends on Monday.