BUSINESS transferred from the sub post office in Eastleigh Road, Devizes could help to save the main town post office in the long term, councillors were told at a town council meeting on Tuesday.

Post Office representative Richard Smith said: "Securing that post office for the future is our main objective. We hope the business from Eastleigh Road will migrate to the main post office in the town centre.

"We are trying to create a network of post offices in urban areas that have an even chance of surviving in the next five to ten years."

He blamed the Government for introducing plans to pay pensions and welfare benefits directly into bank accounts, thereby depriving the post office network of some very lucrative business.

Mayor Margaret Taylor asked if there was any chance of reopening a post office in Eastleigh Road.

Mr Smith replied: "We will try and look at the long-term viability of sustaining a post office in that area but we are not convinced it was in the interests of Post Office Limited in paying for a post office when faced with a forced closure."