LOCAL Works, a coalition of more than 120 national organisations, has congratulated West Devon Borough Council on having the bid it made under the Sustainable Communities Act for action to help post offices agreed by government.

The council was one of 100 councils that recently made proposals to government for action to help their communities under the Act.

The proposal was made following extensive engagement with community organisations and residents.

The Government recently announced it had agreed the council's proposal to protect post offices by guaranteeing there would be no more closure programmes and allowing councils to offer a wider range of services.

The Government will also allow RBS and Natwest customers to access their bank accounts at post offices.

West Devon Borough Council Leader James McInnes said: "We are delighted that a wider role for post offices has been recognised and we will do all we can to take this initiative forward.

'We are committed to giving local people a voice and this Act is a unique opportunity for local people to ask Government to change legislation or policy and make a genuine difference in their area.'

The Local Works coalition includes the WI, Age UK, Friends of the Earth and the Campaign for Real Ale.

Local Works national co-ordinator, Steve Shaw, said: 'This is great news for the people of West Devon.

'We are pleased to see that the efforts of the council and local people working together have resulted in these new measures to protect post offices being introduced under the Sustainable Communities Act. Post offices are a vital part of the community, as West Devon recognise.

'We are also pleased that the Government has invited councils and communities to submit proposals under the Act again and we look forward to the council using the Act to submit further requests to government for action to help the community.'