ADLINGTON MP Lindsay Hoyle has called on the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Patricia Hewitt, to take action to help the Post Office in the face of closures and proposed redundancies.

During questions at the House of Commons he said: "Proposals for liberalisation of the postal network have met with strong opposition from Consignia, trade unions and MPs. The proposed redundancies and reduction in service show the difficulties that the Post Office is currently facing and full liberalisation of the market will, in my opinion, only make matters worse.

"I want to see the Government take a more direct role in the future of the Post Office in order to ensure that we have a universal service at a uniform tariff and the current trend for closures of sub-post offices is brought to an end."