Customers concerned about the proposed closure of local post offices are to be given a right of appeal, the government has announced.

Trade and Industry Secretary Stephen Byers said the move will be included in the Post Office Bill, which is due to be introduced early in the New Year.

It means users worried about the relocation or closure of a sub post office would be able to appeal to the Post Offices Users National Council.

'Vital to local communities'

Mr Byers said the Post Office will be introducing a revised code of practice on how they deal with closures, backed up for the first time with a requirement in law for independent monitoring of the nationwide network of offices.

He said: "Local post offices are a vital part of local communities, but over the last few decades they have been in decline.

"People's lifestyles and buying habits have changed which has led to the future of many offices being threatened.

"These measures are an important step in providing the Post Office with the opportunity for a robust and healthy commercial future and helping to ensure that they continue to be at the heart of our rural and urban communities."

He said that although more people were having their benefits paid into bank accounts it should still be possible for people to collect benefits in cash over the Post Office counter.