THE threat of closure hangs over Cavendish Square Post Office, which has issued a 'use it or lose it' ultimatum to its customers.

The popular sub-post office, a fixture of the square for more than 30-years, could be forced to close if planned changes come into force next month. These would see the transfer of pensions and benefits to direct debit payments at banks.

Pensioners could be forced to receive payments and benefits through bank accounts rather than the traditional over-the-counter method and the Government has been blamed for cynically pushing pensioners towards the former option by publishing leaflets full of incomprehensible jargon.

Many sub-postmasters who depend upon income from over-the-counter trade would be threatened if people take up the bank account option.

Now Shaudamini Patel, who runs the Pop-In Discount Store to which the sub-post office is attached, has urged residents of Parks to use the facility, which is losing 100 customers a month, or watch it disappear.

She said: "The post office has traditionally been a meeting point for everyone, especially for old people who would not otherwise get out of their house.

"Now people are saying all of the things people come to the post office for can be done at the bank. People like to conduct their business face-to-face, which is why the post office is so popular.

"Unless we have enough people coming through the door to justify wages then it will not be viable to keep the post office running. ''

Should Cavendish Square post office close it would be another hammer blow for local community facilities. In July last year the in-store post office at Safeway in Haydon Wick served the last of its customers after a four-month battle by campaigners to keep the popular facility open. Residents were so angered by its closure after 14-years they gathered a 2,000-signature petition in protest.

n Meanwhile Clive Parade Post Office in Cricklade Road is moving tomorrow and reopening at number 12 on Monday, March 17.

The post office will be open from 8.45 am to 5.30pm on Mondays, 9am to 5.30pm Tuesdays to Fridays and 9am to 1pm on Saturdays.