FORMER Lib Dem leadership contender Simon Hughes visited York to highlight the threat to Post Offices.

He met Aasif Rabbani, the postmaster at the newly-reopened Rawcliffe Post Office, yesterday.

Mr Hughes said: "I know that Mr Rabbani has worked very hard to secure the reopened Post Office in Rawcliffe. The campaign to get the branch reopened, supported by Lib Dem councillors, showed that there is huge community support for local Post Offices. The Government continues to undermine this vital service."

Local councillor Richard Moore said: "Residents tell me time and time again that they value their local post office branches and that they want to see them retained.

"Often the Post Office can be the central focus of the community, and a lifeline for the less able and isolated."

Lib Dems have opposed the Government's Post Office closure programme, which will see 2,500 Post Offices closed across the country.