RESIDENTS in Penwortham are calling for their postcodes to be changed -- so they aren't hit for high house insurance premiums any more.

Locals living in the Kingsfold area of Penwortham claim they are being unfairly penalised for living in a postal district which shares the same postcode as 'problem' estates such as Avenham.

They are holding a special public meeting tonight (Thursday) in Kingsfold to discuss the issue with representatives from the two organisations they hold responsible for their astronomical home insurance prices, the post office and an insurance firm.

Councillor Bill Evans, South Ribble Borough Council's cabinet member for community development, said: "The residents feel they are being penalised because they have the same postcode as the centre of Preston. "It is important that they are able to discuss the issue to see what can be resolved."

He added: "Ideally the introduction of a new postcode would be the best thing. It would give the area its own identity when it comes to insurance, so residents wouldn't feel they're being ripped off.

"A separate postcode for South Ribble would also help tourism in the borough, because people currently think we are part of Preston when they see our postcode."

A quick ring round national insurance firms revealed insurance prices can rise by nearly £100 in PR1 areas, compared to identical houses in PR2.

A spokesman for Royal Mail said: "Postcodes are used by insurance firms, but their primary use is to ensure post gets to its intended destination quickly. We only change them if we need new codes because a population has grown."

The meeting starts at 7pm at the Kingsfold Community Centre.

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