A 'double whammy' of bad news has left the district's rural post offices facing a desperate future, according to campaigners.

There is no guarantee the Government's £150 million annual subsidy for rural post offices will continue beyond 2008 and, last week, the Department for Work and Pensions said it would not renew the Post Office account card contract used by millions when it expires in 2010.

Today, sub-postmasters across the Bradford district said they felt betrayed by the Government.

Menston postmaster Peter Finlay, who is also the regional secretary of the National Federation of Sub-postmasters, said rural post offices were now facing their most difficult 18 months ever.

He said: "The Government is reconsidering the subsidy for the rural network and, if that's withdrawn, the number of rural offices that will close will be astronomical.

"A major part of the rural network could well be lost, which will be devastating for many communities.

"On top of that, we have got the post office card account situation which will be a huge blow for all offices irrespective of whether they are rural or not.

"We are already walking a tight-rope economically. I have given my working life to this community but it's starting to leave a sour taste because I'm no longer valued, not by the public but by the Government."

He added that the possible loss of passport and vehicle licensing business would be a further reduction in revenue.

Andrew Cathey, sub-postmaster at Silsden Post Office, said: "I'm disgusted with what's going on.

"We did really well to get the older people to stick with us despite the threat to post offices and now the Government has kicked us in the teeth again.

"This has been the family business for 50 years but if I was coming into it now, I would probably decide to do something else instead."

Another sub-postmaster from the Bradford district, who did not want to be identified, said: "The situation is dire. The account card announcement could spell the death of many post offices. Many sub postmasters feel betrayed."

Councillor John Briggs (Lib Dem, Baildon) said: "Rural post offices are facing a double whammy."

He urged people to contact their MP and said: "Somewhere like Esholt post office gets a subsidy and if we take that away it's going to be in trouble. It's the only retail outlet in the village so what happens if that closes?"

Michael Noon, chairman of Bradley Parish Council, near Skipton, where the post office has recently closed, said: "The shop where it was based has changed hands and the new people decided it made no economic sense to continue with it.

"It's causes problems because people who have their pensions paid in cash have to go to the post office in Skipton three miles away, which is difficult for those with mobility problems."

Bradford Council leader Margaret Eaton is writing to the Government to ask for the rural post office subsidy to be retained.

She said: "I think it's critical to put a lot of pressure on to retain that subsidy because rural post offices are a really important focal point for communities. They are a lifeline for people who can't travel, especially the elderly."

A spokesman for the Post Office said he could not comment on confidential discussions about the account cards or the rural subsidies.