MP Angela Smith today demanded temporary post offices be set up in two areas of Basildon where branches have been axed.

The district's Labour MP insisted this was the least Post Office chiefs should do to compensate residents who live near the Great Berry branch in Nightingales, Langdon Hills and Lee Chapel South branch in Kibcaps, Basildon.

The former shut on Tuesday - the latter will close in the near future.

Mrs Smith said: "I am demanding the Post Office gives a limited service to people in these two areas.

"This would help residents who have catalogue returns and those who need to drop off heavier letters and packages too big for the post boxes.

"I can't see a problem with setting these up in local shops."

However, a Post Office spokeswoman said temporary branches were not an option.

She said: "They would disrupt the network we are trying to create. The Network Reinvention programme is not about opening new branches."

"Post Office Ltd is confident the remaining branches in the area have the capacity to cope with the migration of customers following the closures in Basildon."

Published Friday September 3, 2004

Brought to you by the Evening Echo