Residents to fight plans to close Shropshire register office
Campaigners have vowed to fight plans to close a register office as part of cuts by Shropshire Council.
Wem Town Council said it "strongly objects" to the plans which could see the town's register office close.
Shropshire Council says fewer people are using some offices and is considering three possible options for the future.
The three options are making no change, closing three of the most under-used offices in Church Stretton, Bishop's Castle and Wem, or in the most extreme case closing all offices other than a central one in Shrewsbury.
But Wem Town Council has said it will fight to keep the town's office open.
Councillor John Murray, mayor of Wem, said: "It's very important that we keep it here because people come in to use the services and then use the businesses in the town.
"Also, people when at a time of bereavement can't always get to Whitchurch or Market Drayton.
"The office covers such a large range of services. It's a service we really don't want to lose and we must fight every inch of the way to keep it.
"It's another battle we have to have with Shropshire Council."
Councillor Edward Towers said it is important to keep services in the town if it was to remain viable.
"By leeching services we won't have that critical mass we need to survive any more," he said.
"Shropshire Council want to start dignifying the town of Wem and give it credit, instead of taking something else to Whitchurch or Market Drayton.
"Those towns are quite a way away and cost money and time to get to, and it's the frail and vulnerable quite often that need to make the journey.
"But why should it be the people who are in need and who may be grieving who have to make the journey to another town?
"It's much more efficient for the official to come to the town than for several individuals to travel."
Councillors agreed to "strongly object" to the proposals, which will be open for consultation until June 26.
Shropshire Council said more and more people are using the service online.
The option to close the three offices will mean saving about £50,000, or £100,000 if the option to close all bar Shrewsbury is adopted, the council said.