The leader of Shropshire Council has vowed to fight on to keep Whitchurch test centre open after an appeal to the Driver Vehicle and Standards Agency (DVSA) was rejected.

Councillor Lezley Picton said she was "hugely disappointed" by the decision from the DVSA to press ahead with the closure.

Last month Cllr Picton wrote to Nick Bitel, non executive chair of the DVSA, to explain why the closure of Whitchurch test centre was a disaster for both driving instructors and learner drivers, and has now said she it "very unhappy" with the response she has received.

She said: "I’m hugely disappointed by this response which ducks most of the issues that we raised and, disappointingly, there appears to be no flexibility in the decision.

"As I said in my letter, yet again we are seeing a part of Government withdraw services from local rural communities and adding to the inequality between cities and counties.

"Indeed, we consider this decision is the exact opposite of the Government’s agenda for ‘levelling up’ and addressing regional inequality.

"I also expressed my concern that DVSA did not enter into any form of local consultation or give any rationale for why this decision had been taken and asked that they urgently reconsider the decision to close this test centre.

"I’m very unhappy that that this request has been rejected but we will do all we can to get them to reconsider."

Driving instructors have expressed their dismay at the decision of the DVSA, saying it will mean learners will be forced to take their lessons and tests on unfamiliar roads in Crewe, Shrewsbury and Wrexham which will increase the cost of lessons.

The DVSA has defended its decision, claiming the Whitchurch test centre claims "poor value for money" and the lease is due to end soon.

The centre is due to close on April 10.

Helen Morgan MP said: “The DVSA’s decision to reject Shropshire Council’s appeal is completely unacceptable. It is further evidence of this government failing to protect rural communities such as North Shropshire by severely underfunding or closing down vital local infrastructure.

"That is why in my meeting with the Government Minister responsible for the DVSA I will be urging her to reverse the decision and keep Whitchurch Driving Centre open.”

Her predecessor, Owen Paterson, also fought to keep the centre open while he was MP.