Post offices in North Yorkshire could be saved from closure thanks to a landmark decision in the European Parliament, a local MEP has claimed.

David Bowe, MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber, says the decision to throw out European Commission proposals for the liberalisation of postal services are a major victory for rural communities in areas like North Yorkshire.

The liberalisation plan would cut back the Post Office's monopoly on mail deliveries from the present maximum limit of 350 grammes to 50 grammes.

MEPs instead backed a limit of 150 grammes and David Bowe stressed pressure must be maintained to persuade the commission and the Council of Ministers to accept the compromise figure.

The North Yorkshire East Federation of Women's Institutes was recently among many organisations to write to Mr Bowe with concerns about the issue.

Mr Bowe said: "Today's vote is a victory for common sense, for UK Labour MEPs who have led the fight against the Commission proposals, and for the many organisations, such as the WI, which have campaigned so effectively on this issue.

"The compromise agreed strikes the right balance between encouraging as much competition as possible at the same time as protecting vital services to local communities.

"It would clearly be a nonsense if, under the guise of liberalising services, the actual result was the closure of many rural post offices, the loss of the universal daily service, huge increases in charges, especially for rural customers, and the disappearance of other important services such as post buses and free delivery of Braille and other materials for blind people.

"What must happen now is that the pressure is maintained for the Council of Ministers to recognise that the original Commission plan was deeply flawed and that the sensible way forward is to adopt the compromise supported by the parliament."

newsdesk@ycp.co.uk