Outlaw Dick Turpin was not alone when he rode again for the post offices.

ABOVE: Dick Turpin (alias Richard Batty) rallys support as he joins Post Office protesters outside the Houses of Parliament. BELOW: Ryedale MP John Greenway, left, and Selby MP John Grogan, right, join sub-postmasters Ron Conlon and Pam Elam in handing over the Evening Press Counter Attack campaign coupons to a representative from 10 Downing Street

Picture: Garry Atkinson

He had the support of thousands as he strutted along Whitehall to hand Tony Blair messages from more than 1,000 Evening Press readers.

London was packed with campaigners fighting the Government's Postal Services Bill which proposes that most benefits, from pensions to child allowances, could be paid directly into bank accounts instead of over post office counters. It could mean the end of many sub-post offices which rely on commission, paid for handling benefits, for about 40 per cent of their income.

The famous York highwayman, alias York Dungeon actor Richard Batty, was joined by North Yorkshire MPs and postmasters to show that the county refused to support the plans. The Evening Press Counter Attack campaign joined one of the biggest petitions ever received by the Government, with more than 3.3 million signatures.

Pam Elam, postmistress at Kellington, near Selby, said: "London was absolutely packed with people wanting to stop this Bill and the Government has to listen. With an election probable next year and so many marginal seats, they have got to take account of so much public opinion."

Turpin's dandy appearance bewildered campaigners and Downing Street police officers, who eventually banished him from the houses of power - but his message struck a chord.

Ron Condon, postmaster of Byram and Brotherton, near Selby, said: "I am here not to save post offices but to save freedom of choice - the freedom for people of all communities to choose to have their benefits paid at their local post office."

Ryedale MP John Greenway said: "Three million people cannot be wrong. I believe with this much opposition to their plans, the Government must listen."

But John Grogan, Selby's Labour MP, said: "Sub-post offices are crucial to the community, but there is no question of people not being able to get cash over the counter if that's what they want.

"More and more people do want benefits paid into their bank accounts, but the Government is expected to subsidise sub-post offices to maintain a network."

adam.nichols@ycp.co.uk

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