AN AM launched an attack on planned Post Office closures, warning it will add to depression and deprivation in Blaenau Gwent.

Trish Law AM accused Post Office Ltd of paying little regard to the social and economic conditions of the area, and urged the Assembly to become involved.

Six of the 21 Gwent branches earmarked for closure are in the county, at Cwmcelyn, Dukestown, Georgetown, Princess Street, Rassau and Winchestown.

Ms Law condemned the plans and told an Assembly meeting: "Disadvantaged groups of people - and they are in abundance in my constituency - are particularly dependent on a vibrant post office service."

She called on First Minister Rhodri Morgan to tell the Post Office that closures in areas of severe deprivation would lead to further deprivation.

Mr Morgan said the scoring system the Post Office uses puts branches in Valleys communities at a "very high level of jeopardy."

Only last week Blaenau Gwent was revealed as having the highest unemployment rate in Wales.

There are currently 23 Post Offices in Blaenau Gwent.

Campaigners said their communities could be damaged and sink further into deprivation if the branches close.

In Cwmcelyn, residents have started two petitions with hundreds of signatures; one with more than 100 at the Post Office, and one with more than 200 at the butchers.

Donna Evans, manager of the Old Butcher's Shop, said: "It will only make deprivation worse, but Cwmcelyn couldn't be much worse than it is already."

Simon Anthony 43, postmaster at Cwmcelyn for 21 years, said: "The community have been very supportive. It would be a great shame to see it go."

Customers of Winchestown are holding a protest outside the branch on Thursday afternoon.

Kishwar Raza, Postmistress at Princess Street in Abertillery, said: "My customers have all written to the council and the AM and MP. They don't want it to close, it would be a big loss to the community."

A spokeswoman said the Assembly recognised the social and community value of Post Offices, particularly in relation to supporting vulnerable people in isolated and disadvantaged communities.

A Post Office spokesman said the needs of those living in communities defined as deprived had been carefully considered in the proposals, and 18 branches across Newport and the Gwent valleys would still be located in urban deprived communities.