London A severely disabled woman was given permission to bring a test challenge over the closure of local post offices.

A High Court judge has allowed Judy Brown, of Hastings, East Sussex, to seek a judicial review of decisions, by the Government and the Post Office, to shut thousands of outlets, including her local Old Town branch.

Mrs Brown is claiming that the move discriminates against her and other disabled people. If successful, the challenge could halt the programme affecting 2,500 post offices and put further closures under scrutiny.

Mrs Brown claims that John Hutton, the Business Secretary, acted unlawfully by exempting the Post Office from laws requiring public bodies to promote equality for the disabled.

Mr Justice Davis said that post offices formed an important part of communities, but said fair-minded people would recognise that something had to be done when the system was losing £4 million a week. No date has been set for the hearing.

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