Sub-postmasters are gearing up for a mass demonstration in London to convince the Government not to press ahead with its plans to change the way benefits are paid.

Ian Hughes, sub-postmaster at Terrington Post Office, who is backing a mass demonstration in London

Ian Hughes, sub-postmaster at Terrington Post Office, between Easingwold and Malton, is likely to be among thousands from his profession descending on the capital in April. The demonstration has been organised by the National Federation Of Sub-Postmasters and though a firm date has yet to be fixed, they are planning to hit London on a Wednesday in April to coincide with Prime Minister's Question Time. "We want to cause maximum publicity," said Mr Hughes.

He said that he could not imagine some of Terrington's villagers adapting to Government plans to pay most benefits directly into bank accounts rather than at post offices.

"People will be floundering," he said. "I fill in forms for some people, I phone the DSS for them. The Government has been badly advised but the message doesn't seem to be getting through to them."

Mr Hughes said that, like "a hell of a lot of others", his post office would be forced to shut should the Government's plans come into being.

"We sold our house and put everything into this post office thinking it would give us and our children a secure future.

"But our investment is being threatened by forces beyond out control."

He added: "But there are much wider issues than loss of income. If somebody doesn't come in to pick up their papers my alarm bells start ringing - we are always watching out for people.

"The Government would be ripping the heart out of the community."

Mr Hughes spoke of the "domino effect" that the closure of a post office could have on a village such as Terrington.

"Newcomers to the village don't use the local facilities because they commute to work. That makes it more important to fight for these places."

The National Federation of Sub-Postmasters claims that 8,000 sub-post offices out of a national network of just over 18,000 could be forced to close should the Government have its way.

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