BRIDESTOWE and Shebbear post offices are on a list of ten offices that a partnership of local authorities has insisted should be saved from the axe. Working under the banner of the Devon Post Office Task Group, the Devon councils and community groups issued a joint statement on the final day of Post Office Ltd's consultation over the proposed axing of branches. The group includes the Community Council of Devon, Devon Rural Network, Devon Renaissance, Devon County Council and district and borough councils. Steve Pitcher, chairman of the group, said the response represented 'a clear consensus of us all' and he hoped Post Office Ltd paid serious attention to it. West Devon Borough Council, in its submission to Post Office Ltd (POL), points out the area is particularly badly hit with nine post offices and five mobile services under threat — just over 28% of the borough's post office network. The council says: 'Whatever the outcome of this process is for our residents, we remain very alarmed about the damage it will cause to many communities and vulnerable individuals.' It adds that POL has not adequately taken into account outlying communities which many of the threatened Post Offices serve, and an inadequate number of hours has been allocated for outreach services in Bridestowe, Chillaton, Lewdown, Meeth and Postbridge. The council is concerned that there are still no firm proposals for such outreach services. The council also points out inaccuracies in POL's reports on public transport services which suggest other locations where post offices will be retained. The incorrect information could see customers either missing a return bus or leave them stranded for several hours. Of particular concern is that the POL reports are based on distances as the crow flies, rather than distance by road, which makes an enormous difference to journey times. Meanwhile, West Devon and Torridge MP Geoffrey Cox has made his formal submission to the Post Office's consultation. Mr Cox said: 'From the outset, I have argued that local people need to show Post Office Ltd why they so desperately need their branches. 'The people of our area have, in their thousands, made informed, well-argued and relevant arguments for the preservation of their much-loved branches. 'My office has received a steady flood of letters, emails and phone calls from across the constituency. Astonishing numbers of people have flocked to public meetings, and postmasters have been deeply touched by the sheer depth of support.'