Mike German visiting Panteg Post Office

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 9th Apr 2003

Welsh Liberal Democrats are backing a 'use us or lose us' campaign by sub-postmasters in Pontypool.

Pension and benefit books are to be replaced by electronic banking services, and post office customers can choose whether they are paid through their existing bank account, a new basic bank account or a post office card account.

Sub-postmasters fear a low take-up of the new card account could threaten their businesses.

Jacky Durrant, who runs the Panteg post office in The Highway, New Inn, said: "There have been a lot of exaggerated claims about the new system. The truth is that people can still draw cash from the post office using the new card account and they can still keep their pension and benefit books if they choose. There are other choices available that mean people do not have to call at the post office.

"Our businesses as sub-post offices depend on the number of transactions we carry out. If people are not calling in for their pensions or benefits, we lose the other transactions, like paying bills or buying stamps."

Mike German, Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales East, backed the call. He said: "Local post offices provide a genuine community service in the towns and in the country. They are more than just shops.

"Jacky Durrant and her colleagues in other post offices give a personal touch to the service they offer. A visit to the post office can be a social occasion for people who live on their own. We are in danger of losing this service unless we make sure we use it as much as we can.

"I want the Government to start a massive promotional campaign for the new post office card account. These are small businesses which need all the support we can give them. They are not allowed to promote any of the options for paying benefit above others, so it is up to all of us who use post offices to make sure we keep them going."