More than 3,000 people have signed the council's anti-closure petition as serious doubts have emerged about the grounds used to select the 11 offices in Calderdale.

Amanda Byrne (Con, Sowerby Bridge) said: "The total under threat is far higher than the number we would have expected under Government guidelines, which should have been closer to seven.

"And there are significant inaccuracies in the reasons for chosing them, such as their opening hours, parking provision and access to public transport."

She told a council cabinet meeting it was wrong to select offices on the basis of inaccurate information.

Those under threat are at Lightcliffe, Hove Edge, Bell Hall, Scarr Bottom, Shelf, Midgley, Holmfield, Greetland and Stainland, Shade and Portsmouth, in Todmorden. The cabinet agreed to ask for the closure programme for Calderdale to be suspended.

Post Office Ltd has said all feedback and representations received by June 23 will be considered before a final decision, due on July 15.

Halifax MP Linda Riordan said: "It is important that post offices retain as many services as possible and essential that the people who choose to access their benefits at the post office each week should be allowed to continue doing that.

"I want Halifax people to use the new card account at their local post office to ensure branches across the town have a viable future."