Welsh Liberal Democrats fight for Ceredigion Post Offices

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 5th Sep 2006

Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Leader Michael German will be visiting Ceredigion MP Mark Williams and John Davies, the Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly candidate for Ceredigion this Thursday the 7th of September. They will meet Janice Pocock the Postmistress in Croeslan to discuss the problems facing rural Post Offices

Mr German said: "I am visiting Ceredigion to discuss the decline of Post Office services, which are at the heart of rural communities. I know my colleagues here have been fighting to protect them.

"Under the Partnership Government, the Welsh Liberal Democrats fought to set up the post Office Development Fund. The Fund was established to help post offices in Wales' most deprived areas and isolated communities stay open and become more accessible. Grants were available to renovate post offices and widen the range of services offered to customers.

"The fund enabled local post offices to diversify and survive where they were needed most. The Post Office at Croeslan we will be visiting is a clear example of a community which would benefit from this kind of support. Post Offices are under increasing threat from decisions to axe the Post Office Card Account and withdraw other services such as TV license renewals. Welsh Liberal Democrats put down a motion in the Assembly in June trying to get the Fund re-instated so help protect more post offices.

"John Davies is an excellent local candidate who is passionate about his local community and if elected will work tirelessly for local communities. He cares about local issues, such as rural post offices, as well as securing more local employment and affordable housing and I believe he can deliver these for Ceredigion."