We now know that up to four post offices in the West Wiltshire area may face closure and at national level up to 3,000 urban post offices could face the axe.

Already, under this Government in 1999 we saw 233 closures of local post offices followed by 382 in 2000 and 547 in 2001. If the Government is allowed to get away with these closures it will have a shocking impact on the post office network more than a third of urban post offices will be lost forever.

Yet the Government, which is the main shareholder in the post office remains silent.

For some people, these changes will be a huge inconvenience, but for others the implications of having to open a bank account will create massive problems.

According to the evidence provided by the FSA consumer panel on financial exclusion, banks do not provide a very good service to those on low incomes and those with debt problems.

In fact, it does not seem that the needs of the most vulnerable are being taken into account in this decision-making process.

ANGIE BARKER

County Councillor for Melksham