THE closure of sub post offices is a matter of grave concern, both to the young and the elderly. My main concern, having had 22 years service as a sub postmaster in the Prestwich area, and currently as chairman of Bury Age Concern, is for the elderly.

The sub post office is a focal point and, in many cases, the most important one in their lives as their pension is still their main source of income. The closures would mean travelling to the nearest office and, in many cases, no convenient public transport is available. Many elderly people still use the post office to pay most of their utility bills. There is often no direct debit facility for them.

This issue is of great importance to Bury Age Concern whose prime objective is to help the elderly in as many ways as possible, in particular in matters such as the current closure of sub post offices. We have charity shops in Bury, Ramsbottom, Radcliffe, and now in Prestwich, and I appeal to anyone in the vicinity of these shops to call in as soon as possible and sign one of our petitions. These will be forwarded to the head office of the Post Office in the next few days.

My own experience as a sub postmaster leaves me in no doubt as to the importance of retaining sub post offices.

JAMES HEYWORTH,

chairman,

Bury Age Concern.