CAMPAIGNERS are calling for West Wiltshire District Council to help secure the future of Wiltshire's post offices.

Liberal Democrat Councillors Terry Chivers and Angie Barker are urging the council to write to the Department of Trade and Industry asking it to expand Post Office services and cut red tape.

The pair have spoken against government plans to axe 3,000 urban post offices around the country and are concerned about reports that trade has dropped by up to 40 per cent since changes to the ways people collect benefit payments were introduced.

Money is now paid directly into bank accounts rather than over the counter.

Cllr Chivers said: "It is alarming to think trade has dropped by so much. Many sub postmasters are telling me that as many as a further 3,000 sub post offices could be forced out of business on top of the ones already lost.

"This government must be stopped before it's too late. Untold damage is being done to our Post Office network."