A FIGHT has started to try to save the registrar office in Bishops Castle.

Charlotte Barnes, the Lib Dem Councillor for Bishops Castle, has urged Shropshire Council's administration to drop its proposals to remove the Registrar's Office and Council Service Point from the town.

"We have two key service points under threat under the proposals set out in the administration's budget,” said Charlotte Barnes.

“There is the Registrar’s Office, which currently is open twice a week, and the council's Integrated Service Point which is located in Enterprise House and gives residents access to a host of council services including benefits, council tax, waste collection and bus passes.

"If you withdraw these services you will create very real problems for residents not only of the town but the large rural hinterland that it serves. Worse it will impact most on the vulnerable in our society - the elderly, disabled and ill who don't drive.

“Given the limited public transport to Shrewsbury, closing these services will put them beyond the reach of many. Even residents with cars will have a 40 mile round trip - no joke with the current price of petrol.

"Its another case of council officers having to find unreasonable and unnecessary savings thanks to the Conservative Administration. People living in rural areas of Shropshire pay the same council tax as everyone else as should have the same access to services."