A MASS rally took place at Tavistock Post Office last week with campaigners fighting for the future of their local service. West Devon and Torridge MP Geoffrey Cox attended the event which was part of National Post Office Week, organised by the umbrella group 'Future for our Post Office', of which the Countryside Alliance is part. Friday's rally was one of a series taking place across the UK, including a lobby of parliament in Westminster last Tuesday (February 20). The week aimed to highlight the government consultation on the future of the Post Office network and encourage people to take part in the fight for the service's future. Mr Cox has written to every one of the 60 post office branches in his constituency asking whether they would be prepared to fight enforced closure and offering support. Mr Cox said: 'I am delighted to say that the great majority have indicated a desire to stay open and resist enforced closure.' South West MEP Roger Knapman also joined in the rally at Tavistock Post Office. The UK Independence Party member described the loss of many rural sub post offices as 'death by a thousand cuts.' He told the Times: 'It was the Conservatives that gave away our rights to control and run our own post offices to the European Parliament.' Alison Hawes, Countryside Alliance regional director for the South West, stressed the social benefit provided by post offices. She said: 'Current government plans propose closing 2,500 sub-post offices across the UK, saying they are not financially viable. 'Post offices provide the social heart of many communities and without them many thousands of people, including many elderly and disabled, would be increasingly isolated. 'Government must look at the bigger picture before deciding the fate of many of our local communities. Devon is sending government the clear message – we love our post offices, we love our countryside!' Ravi Jhangiani, owner of Tavistock Post Office and chairman of the local branch of the National Federation of Sub-postmasters, said he was delighted at the way the rally went. Mr Jhangiani said: 'It was excellent, we had cross party support with many different organisations taking part. 'I think it was well worthwhile — we can't thank the public enough for their support.'