EMERGENCY talks between the post office and Halton Borough Council have resulted in a pledge that action is being take to provide Widnes town centre with a main post office.

The meeting took place just days after Halton MP Derek Twigg said he had a major head-to-head with the company's senior management, during which he expressed disgust at the closure of the Widnes main post office on behalf of people in Widnes.

Post Office Ltd is now said to be committed to the search for a new manager for a new central post office and the search for premises has now been stepped up.

A council spokeswoman said: 'Following a meeting with representatives from the Post Office, it was again confirmed that they were committed to a new office in the town centre and are working with the council on identifying suitable premises.

'The post office is also working with the council on a package of proposals to attract a postmaster. This will be pursued in coming weeks.'

During full and frank discussions' with the Post Office, Mr Twigg described the handling of the crisis as showing an appalling lack of consideration for the Widnes public.

The company had said in December that it would be setting up a new main post office on Widnes Road but the huge cost of refurbishing the premises was only revealed once work was under way.

For the time being a sub post office on Cronton Lane is the only one supplying services normally only available at main branches.