Royal Mail claims it costs �6m to run the mail operation at the airport in Speke, Merseyside.

It plans to transfer the depot to East Midlands Airport in Leicestershire at the beginning of next year.

The depot is one of several mail hubs used to direct post around the country.

Royal Mail plans to reduce the number of hubs it uses to help cut costs.

Up to 200 jobs would be under threat in Merseyside if the Skyline operation shuts down.

Airport managers say the cost of keeping the depot is less than the estimated �6m, and have drawn up their own costings.

Their campaign is backed by Liverpool Garston MP Maria Eagle and the city's chamber of commerce, who claim the move will harm local businesses.

Senior representatives of Royal Mail are due in Liverpool on Thursday for the latest in a series of meetings with the airport before making any final decisions.