HUHNE BACKS CAMPAIGN TO SAVE LOCAL POST OFFICES AS CLOSURE LOOMS

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 18th Oct 2006

Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne today backed the national campaign to keep Britain's small post offices open - and said that they were a key help for local communities and for the elderly.

Mr Huhne backed the campaign of the National Federation of Subpostmasters (NFSP) as it took its 4 million strong national petition to save our post offices to the heart of government in Downing Street.

"Local post offices are a key part of vibrant local communities, and it is crucial to ensure their continued future if many areas are not to become mere dormitories for the larger cities they surround," said Mr Huhne.

"The Government should reverse its policy of cutting back on the services - like the Post Office card account - that people can access through their post office. This is one of the main ways in which people are paid their pensions in cash.