David Ruffley MP has today written to all the Sub-Postmasters in his constituency outlining the threat that the Post Office's Network Change Programme poses to sub-post offices.

David has offered all Sub-Postmasters in his constituency his full support for the retention of sub-post office services in their area.

In addition, David has launched a petition calling on Post Office Ltd to retain the existing sub-post offices in the Bury St Edmunds Parliamentary Constituency. A paper version of the petition has been distributed to all Sub-Postmasters and can be signed at local sub-post offices. The petition can also be signed online at www.tellDavidRuffleyMP.com.

David said:

'Our sub post offices are the lifeblood of our villages and we must do all we can to preserve them.

'I have made behind the scenes investigations at Westminster and discovered that Post Office Ltd will begin their closure investigation in Suffolk in January 2008. This will include inspectors snooping around our part of Suffolk looking into local community services, bus and road links, local geography and population and employment patterns to see who uses which sub-post office.

'I have alerted all the Sub-Postmasters in my constituency to the time frame of the Network Change Programme and warned them that we must be on our guard- the fight to save our rural post offices begins now not when the changes are announced in March.

'In addition, I have launched a petition calling on Post Office Ltd to retain the existing sub-post offices in the Bury St Edmunds Parliamentary Constituency. A paper version of the petition has been distributed to all Sub-Postmasters and can be signed at local sub-post offices. The petition can also be signed online at www.tellDavidRuffleyMP.com.'