Labour councillors are calling on town hall bosses to explore the possibility of Blackpool Council taking over the running of the two post offices in the town which are earmarked for closure.

Labour's deputy leader, Coun Fred Jackson, has submitted a notice of motion to the next full meeting of the council asking for the chief executive to investigate the proposal and report back to the next executive meeting.

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He said: "Several councils throughout the country have been exploring the possibility of operating post offices and it seemed to me a good idea for us to look into this as well. It could be a chance to ensure these post offices continue to operate.

"Both areas where we have post offices under threat in Blackpool are highly populated with elderly people. There is a real need and the petition The Gazette organised has proved that by the amount of signatures obtained.

"It will depend on the cost, but I think it's a cost we could maybe afford to take onboard for the people."

The Gazette has presented Royal Mail with a petition signed by 9,416 people calling for 12 under-threat Fylde coast post offices to be spared from the axe. These include St Annes Road post office on Harcourt Road, South Shore, which is in Coun Jackson's ward, Torsway Avenue post office in Layton and a post office on Red Bank Road in Bispham.

Blackpool Council leader, Coun Peter Callow, said the council wanted to help threatened post offices but the cost to the council taxpayer was likely to be too much: "If the Government says they will fund us to help keep these post offices, I will take that onboard but would that be for one year or a permanent thing? What I would say is where are you finding the money from?"

Essex County Council has unveiled a £1.5m formula to take over 15 county branches targeted for closure.

It is estimated councils would have to offer rescue packages of around £18,000 per branch over three years.

Wyre MP Ben Wallace is writing to County Hall urging Lancashire County Council to consider similar action.

He said: "I am not talking about the county council bankrolling a duff venture, but creating a well-oiled business through a bit of initial money and by creating new and exciting provisions to be offered in-store."