THE Government's newly-published rural White Paper has been broadly welcomed, but there are fears it will not deliver what is promised.

The Countryside Alliance said the White Paper shows the Government has recognised the scale and depth of the rural crisis, but there are still concerns about getting funding where it is needed.

Richard Burge, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, said: "The White Paper's aims are so far-reaching that the new process the government has unveiled for driving these through may be too weak to deliver.

"It would be a tragedy for rural Britain if the White Paper ends up being consigned to political limbo for lack of a robust enough process to drive it through."

Measures highlighted in the White Paper include proposals to deliver high-quality health, education, transport and housing services, tackle the causes of social exclusion by boosting provision of jobs and affordable housing, support the rural economy by encouraging diversification, attracting new businesses and supporting shops and pubs with a 50 per cent rate relief; and give new powers to parish and town councils.

For Bernard and Pat Clarkson, of North Bradley post office and shop, the Government's plans have probably come too late.

The Clarksons fear their business could be forced to close within 18 months and say the White Paper is too vague and too late to do any good.

Mr Clarkson said: "I am still firmly convinced they are going to let us go under in the next 18 months. We are very sad that it was so vague and is not giving anything.

"It is getting to the point where post offices are closing at the rate of seven a week."

The White Paper includes a proposal to give a mandatory rate relief reduction of 50 per cent for village shops, pubs and garages.

Mr Clarkson said: "Nearly all post offices are getting more than that already. I went to the valuation office and was told ours had been wrong for five-years that's how much they care."

He said things are so bad that a business agent has told him his property would be worth £15,000 more if he sold it as a house than as a going concern.

Mr Clarkson said: "Having worked for the post office for over 25 years, when I finally decide I want to retire I expect to have something to sell. We don't want false encouragement if it's going to be meaningless."

Nick Holliday, south west regional chief of the Countryside Agency, said the measures offer real scope for a widescale revival in the south west, where many people get a raw deal when it comes to access to post offices, shops, public transport and services.

Mr Holliday said: "The south west is dotted with hundreds of small market towns and remote villages which, although rich in scenic beauty, often lack the basic amenities needed by young and old alike."

Research carried out by the agency shows almost four in ten parishes in the region have no post office or shop and nearly three quarters have no daily bus service.