Many post offices are struggling to survive because of service cuts

The campaign, which hopes to save small post offices from the threat of closure, is being run under the theme of "the heart of the community".

The action is being supported by the local Age Concern group and Rotary Club branches, plus chambers of commerce in the South West.

People will be asked to show their support on red paper hearts.

Service changes

The hearts will then be collected and taken to a national rally and lobby of Parliament planned for 18 October.

Once the focal point of many communities, many small post offices are now struggling to survive as an increasing number of their services are taken away from them.

There are about 600 post offices across both counties, with about 500 of those in rural areas, Royal Mail said.

However, it said about 300 had closed across the region in the five years up to March this year.

A petition against closures is being compiled on paper hearts

Recent changes include TV Licence payers being unable to buy their licences at post offices. They now have to be purchased at PayPoint outlets, found in convenience stores, supermarkets and garages.

Starting the campaign in Tavistock on Tuesday, Torridge and West Devon MP Geoffrey Cox said: "We're fighting for the survival of the post office, it's as simple as that.

"It's life and death for the post office. People have got to come out and fight against the government's current policy; and you can see that people are willing to fight for the rural post office network."

The Post Office said its rural network relied on annual financing of �150m from the government, which has been approved until 2008, however they are still awaiting a decision on the future funding of the network beyond 2008.