WORCESTER MP MIKE Foster has launched a petition to save the main post office in the city from closure, and avert a "short-sighted management decision" by post office bosses.

Today, he started collecting signatures outside the threatened city centre branch on Foregate Street .

"Local people have had to cope with the loss of small sub-post offices already. That is bad enough, but to lose the much-needed facilities in Foregate Street would be unacceptable," said Mr Foster.

But he admitted that the branch had not been singled out for closure.

"It is because of the uncertainty that I think we need to have a little show of support and see that something like this doesn't sneak up on us," he continued.

Yesterday, chief executive of Post Office Ltd, David Mills, wrote to MPs to assure them about the future of directly managed branches - the large, busy offices.

Mr Mills strenuously denied reports that a review of the 555 centrally-managed branches would result in sweeping closures across the country.

"This is not a closure programme," he said. "We anticipate that fewer than five directly managed branches will need to close in 2005/06."

High street branches lost more than £70m last year, and Mr Mills conceded that he expected losses to continue.

He pledged a £20m injection for central branches, despite the huge losses they were accruing.

"We are still at the planning stage, but our aim is to provide main Post Office services to customers on a sustainable basis," he added.

The "Crown", or centrally managed premises, which could be affected by the review in the area, include the Hereford branch, 14-15 St Peter's Street, and the Droitwich Post Office in Victoria Square.

The branch in Crown House, Bull Ring, Kidderminster, could also be affected by the review.