A National Federation of SubPostmasters (NFSP) survey has highlighted the service provided to the community by the Post Office network.

In a survey of its members, it was revealed that 90% of subpostmasters helped older people access benefits and pensions while 85% said they provided an ‘unofficial alert system’ to check on the wellbeing of vulnerable members of the community.

The survey also revealed that 57% of subpostmasters sreported that their post office was the only place which offered free cash withdrawals and banking facilities in the local area.

The NFSP also warned that if post offices were to maintain the essential services they currently provided to millions of individuals and small firms, the government must act now to provide promised new work.