A major battle to safeguard the future of Shropshire’s newsagents is gathering pace with a petition delivered to Downing Street and county MPs vowing to fight to save branches in the region.

Nationally traditional newsagents are closing at a rate of more than one a day and suppliers say that developments in the news distribution industry mean that there are just two regional wholesalers.

There are fears that the lack of competition will leave shopkeepers with no alternative supplier and vulnerable to increased costs.

Last week almost 800 newsagents delivered a petition to the Office of Fair Trading demanding action to protect their future.

Now Conservative politicians Daniel Kawczynski, MP for Shrewsbury and Atcham, and Philip Dunne, MP for Ludlow, have vowed to do all they can to support county newsagents.

Mr Kawczynski said: “Traditional newsagents are the backbone of our community. They deliver a vital service and are a friendly face that many people rely on every day.

“It is shocking and unacceptable that so many newsagents face an uphill struggle to survive. I am happy to pledge my support to newsagents in Shrewsbury and Atcham and across the UK.”

Mr Dunne also backed the campaign and spoke of how he has been contacted by newsagents asking for support.

He said: “I have been approached by newsagents in the constituency who are extremely concerned for the viability of their business from the loss of competition over supplies of newspapers.

“I am happy to pledge my support to newsagents in Shropshire and across the UK.”

The petition to the Office of Fair Trading calls for the OFT to investigate contracts in the news and magazine distribution industry, amid widespread concerns about anti-competitive behaviour.

It says: “We further call on the OFT to refer the news and magazine industry to the Competition Commission for a wider and more detailed examination of market behaviour.

“With no choice of supplier, this means that newsagents are powerless against price hikes.

“Without urgent action by the OFT, we fear that our country’s newsagents, who play a vital role in our society, could soon be consigned to history.”