THE UNION representing Ulverston Post Office staff fearing for their jobs has called for talks to try and find a positive way forward.

Seven employees face an uncertain future after Post Office Ltd announced its Ulverston branch would have to find a partner, or face closure.

A Communication Workers Union representative said the news came "out of the blue" for staff at the Ulverston office.

Neil Barry, CWU sector representative for the North West and Wales, said: "There are mainly young staff there and their main concern is job security. Some of them have mortgages, some of them want to get married and get a house. They thought they had job security at the Post Office."

Mr Barry said the Post Office had no plan on how to grow the business, and this latest round of job cuts illustrated their haphazard business approach.

He said: "There are some members of staff who only joined in April.

"They (the Post Office) don't seem to have a three-minute plan, let alone a three-year plan.

"We want to sit down with the Post Office and find a way to go forwards to make the business profitable."

Last Friday a protest took place outside the post office in County Square, organised by MP John Woodcock.

Dozens of people came to hear Mr Woodcock speak and hundreds have signed a petition organised by the MP to oppose the closure.

The CWU are pleased Mr Woodcock is backing them in calling the Post Office to reconsider their plan.

In the coming weeks Mr Barry is planning to meet Mr Woodcock to discuss a town meeting on the issue.

Mr Barry said the post office's loss was not inevitable, commenting: "We've saved offices before, we have had results."

He urged residents to sign Mr Woodcock's petition and make their voice heard.

More about the Ulverston Post Office:

A community was left reeling when they found our they could lose a vital community hub

John Woocock led a protest outside the Ulverston Post Office to fight for it to remain in the town