BEATLES legend Sir Paul McCartney has thrown his weight behind those opposing the closure of a post office near to his home in Heswall.

Stepping into a major political issue in Wirral, he will have his personal message of support read out in support of the post office near his Lower Heswall house.

Sir Paul has owned the house for 40 years and is a regular visitor to the peninsula, as well as being a fan of his local post office.

On Monday his brother Mike, Wirral’s Cultural Ambassador, will read out the message from Sir Paul opposing the closure plan.

Consultation is being carried out by Royal Mail over proposed closure of four post offices across Wirral with just Wirral West’s post offices escaping this latest round.

It has provoked furious opposition from many local politicians from all parties.

In Wallasey and Moreton, local Conservative councillors including Leah Fraser and Chris Blakeley have been spearheading a campaign to save those threatened with closure.

They have been holding a series of “action days” to highlight the importance of the post offices under threat and collect signatures for petition opposing closures.

In south Wirral it has also seen as a key political issue with the Liberal Democrats prospective candidate Paula Southwood leading her own campaign t against closure plans for two post offices in the area.

She said: “Labour and Conservative governments have decimated our post office network.

“Only the Liberal Democrats have a plan to save our local post offices and to open new post offices when needed.”

Wirral South MP Ben Chapman has also been campaigning to save the post offices in his constituency, and has now enlisted the help of one of the most successful popstars in the world.

Sir Paul, listed in the Guinness book of World Records as the most successful musician and composer in popular-music history, with 60 gold discs and sales of 100 million singles, heard of the proposals from his brother and asked that his message be read out.

Mike McCartney will be joined on Monday by Mr Chapman, Brian Kewley, postmaster of Lower Heswall post office, Stuart Marsden, chairman of the Heswall Society,and Cathy Helm, curate of Heswall parish church representing Rector Jonathon Gibbs.

Mr Chapman, who is also fighting the closure of Lancelyn Court post office in Spital, said: “I am assured that no decisions will be taken on individual post offices until the consultation is concluded and representations have been taken into account.

“I am delighted that Sir Paul has added his support in relation to the Lower Heswall post office.

“As well as presenting the petition to Parliament, I will also be responding in writing to the consultation and want to encourage as many people as possible to do the same.” It is imperative that as many people take part in the six week consultation as possible.

“I hope that the Post Office will think again in relation to both Lower Heswall and Lancelyn Court.”

The post offices in Wirral under threat are Holthill, Church Road, Birkenhead; Somerville, Poulton Road, Wallasey; Heswall Village, Village Road, Heswall; and Lancelyn Court, Spital Road.

A spokeswoman for Royal Mail said: “Each Area Plan will be subject to a six-week public consultation period, during which time members of the community or their elected representatives can provide feedback on the proposals.”

ANYONE wishing to comment can write to the National Consultation Team, Post Office Ltd, Freepost, Consultation Team, email consultation@ postoffice.co.uk or telephone 08457 22 33 44.