The Tory proposal was defeated by 20 votes after 19 Labour MPs revolted, slashing the Government's majority by two thirds.

Stockton North Labour MP Frank Cook also voted against the Tory motion.
But Easington Labour MP John Cummings rebelled and voted for the programme to be suspended.

Protect your Post Offices campaign - The story so far...

Post Offices are losing around £3.5m a week and 2,500 branches are under threat nationally.

Mr Cummings said it was a rare move for him to vote against his own party but it was down to the seriousness of the situation.

He said: "Representing an area with an ageing and largely chronically sick population, it is essential that we retain as many local post offices as possible."

But Mr Cook said: "I support the Government.

"I have taken the views of my constituents which are many in number and they oppose the Post Office closures but there is no way I was going to take issue with the national argument over the closure of 2,500 post offices.

"The post office submasters themselves agree there needs to be closures, they are needed to secure the structure so what I did was in agreement with them."

Neither Mr Wright or his agent could be contacted for comment this morning.