A vital community asset in many Wharfedale towns and villages could be lost because of new Government proposals, it has been claimed.

Otley & Wharfedale councillor Graham Kirkland has issued a 'Save Our Post Offices' plea amid fears that the existence of post offices is being threatened because the Government is encouraging people to have allowances paid directly into their bank accounts rather than collecting the money weekly.

And Secretary of the Sub-Post Masters Federation, Mr Peter Finlay, who runs Menston Post Office, has backed Coun Kirkland.

He said: "If Menston Post Office was forced to close, many businesses such as the local chemist and grocery store would be affected, causing disruption to the whole community."

Coun Kirkland said that nationally 10,000 post offices were under threat, with 200 closing each year. He said Government proposals will cause a £100m loss by halving the letter monopoly, a £107m loss of interest on Post Office reserves and another £100m loss on introduction of automatic credit transfer.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.