POSTMASTER Hugh Jones (pictured) says closing local offices will rip the heart out of communities.

And the Tyldesley-based executive officer for the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters says offices are more than a place to pay bills and collect benefits.

"People meet in the post offices once every seven days and exchange news and information. And they find out things here that are totally inconnected with the Post Office but important in their lives.

"We are valuable part of the community and there are friendships built up between customers and staff.

"I would hope Journal readers would do something about this situation: write to their councilors and MPs with their views.

"What they mustn't do is sit back and hope it will sort itself out. If they leave this they will be doing themselves a horrible, horrible dis-service.

"People should have a right to chose how they are paid and we don't want that right taken away."

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