Councillors have launched a campaign to protect South Craven's rural post offices from closure.

They fear Government plans to pay all benefits and pensions into bank accounts could lead to the closure of up to 8,000 post offices nationally, many of them in South Craven, including Cowling, Cononley, and Crosshills.

Currently benefits and pensions claimants can choose to cash them at post offices or have the money paid directly into a bank account. Post offices are also considered a vital financial and social lifeline in rural areas.

Now North Yorkshire County Councillors are to petition the Government to withdraw the plans which they say could reduce post office income by up to 40 per cent.

County Councillor Tim Cole (Con, South Craven), from Sutton, said: "We hope we can persuade the people in our villages to lend support by signing a petition form in their post office. Only people power can change a Government's mind."

He said the loss of Sutton Post Office, also the village's only newsagent, would be disastrous for the community where several shops have closed in recent years through declining trade.

County Councillor Irene Greaves (Con, Airedale) added: "The Government says it is conducting a top level study into the future of the post office network, but this is too late and not enough."

Jane Proctor, Sutton's post mistress, said: "If I lose pensioners, it would not be worth carrying on. My wage is based on the traffic that comes to the post office."

Farnhill and Kildwick villagers plan to buy their village store and post office as a community venture.

Steering group chairman, Pam Swift does not believe the Government plans will scupper the move. She added: "At this stage, we've not really considered it - we're hoping we can retain the village shop."

Andy Gregory, post master of Cononley Post Office and village store for three years, said: "One of the reasons we came here was the post office's security."

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