Protests force Post Office U-Turn

12.59.00pm GMT Tue 18th Nov 2008

The Government has been forced to do a major U-turn and continue the Card Account contract with the Post Office until at least 2015.

Four million people use Card Accounts, which form 15-20% of Post Masters' income. If the Post Office had lost the Card Account it could have led to the closure of another 3,000 Post Office closures across the country, including many in Oldham, Shaw, Lees and Saddleworth.

Lib Dems in parliament and up and down the country have been leading protests against Post Office closures.

Elwyn Watkins, Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesperson for Oldham East & Saddleworth said, "This is excellent news. Liberal Democrat and community campaigning really can get positive results."