As your article states, the post office provides a vital lifeline for pensioners in Newtown, as well as many other vulnerable people – for example, those with mobility problems who need local access to collect benefits and for other postal services.

Newtown is far, far busier than a typical village of this size. There are 900 staff based at the SBC head offices, a two minute walk from the post office. The busy auction mart, adjacent to the post office, brings in hundreds of farmers and others in the livestock trade who value its closeness. The many active businesses located in the village, all of which rely on access to a post office, give Newtown an annual turnover put at £150million.

And Newtown stands on the brink of a massive expansion. Under plans put in place by SBC, the population will treble from the present figure. In addition to that, the council hopes to attract enterprises large and small to a new business park.

The community council cannot get involved in the detail of negotiations between Eoin Frame, who runs the present branch, and PO Ltd over remuneration but it seems wrong to us that our village newsagent is being required to subsidise PO Ltd in such a busy place with such a high level of demand for post office services and one that is sure to grow.

The elderly, those on benefits, local families, the local authority and the many local businesses all underscore our contention that an all-week post office branch is essential. So come on PO Ltd, sort it out, Newtown needs its post office.

RAYMOND du BOIS,

Secretary, Newtown and Eildon Community Council