A CALL for West Devon councillors to unite in opposition to any threat to rural post offices has come from Liberal Democrat Alison Clish-Green.

Cllr Clish-Green, who represents Tavistock's South West ward, said the Government was suggesting changes to the 'core funding' which supports 97% of the post office network, including the possibility that this would be ended by 2015.

She said: 'As someone who was centrally involved a few years ago when many local post offices were earmarked for closure, and some actually did close, I know how important they are as centres of community life.

'In our villages and elsewhere they are often the only shop left. Older people in particular find them invaluable, as do people running small businesses from home.'

Cllr Clish-Green said Liberal Democrat-run Eastleigh Borough Council, in Hampshire, was surveying all post offices in that area, to find out how the proposals might affect them.

'I have contacted the leader of the borough council, urging him to undertake a similar survey here in West Devon without delay. We must unite in our support for local post offices,' she said.