RIBBLE Valley MP Nigel Evans said he was ‘aghast’ to learn of the soaring price of stamps.

The Royal Mail has decided to increase the price of a first-class stamp from 46p to 60p and from 36p to 50p for a second-class stamp, from the end of April.

Mr Evans, who is deputy speaker, said: “I was genuinely aghast when I read that first-class stamps were to rise to 60p and second-class ones to 50p. I think many people will be shocked.

“These are prohibitive rates and the increases are way above any semblance of inflation. Royal Mail are now free to set their own prices, and haven’t they!”

He added: “My worry is that sales will plummet, the service will cease to exist and we will have lost a great institution.

“I would rather see the prices of stamps dropped to encourage people to use the Royal Mail so that we could maintain and even increase jobs rather than constantly downsizing.

“I know Royal Mail is under enormous pressure to make itself pay its way in the modern world but this is a mistake.”