The number of rural post offices has fallen

It comes as a four million name petition has been handed to Downing Street and the National Federation of SubPostmasters held a rally in London.

The NFSP has warned that income lost from some services being axed may threaten the network's future.

Between 2000 and 2006, the number of rural post offices in Scotland fell by 12% from 1,285 to 1,128.

The post office network is losing �200m a year and the government is widely expected to require some closures as part of a subsidy renewal agreement.

I want to maintain a national network, but I want to do it in a way that will last Alistair Darling Trade and industry secretary

The government says the 800 smallest post offices in the UK are used by an average of 16 people a week and that the rural network is currently supported by an annual subsidy of �150m.

Trade and Industry Secretary Alistair Darling said doing nothing was not "sustainable" and the Post Office needed to adapt.

He said that many of the services once offered exclusively could now be done elsewhere - for example, people were now able to buy road tax online, 98% of new pensions were paid straight into people's bank accounts, while TV licences could no longer be bought at post offices.

"What has changed over the years is that many post offices have found there are few people coming in through the front door," he said.

However, he said it was "inconceivable" there would be no subsidy of post offices, but the amount would depend on the final decision on the future shape and size of the network.

"I want to maintain a national network, but I want to do it in a way that will last so we don't keep coming back again and again to the underlying problems we have had in the past few years," he added.

'Crunch time'

Sandy Edwards who runs a post office in the village of Auldgirth, Dumfries and Galloway, travelled to London to join the rally.

She said: "Post offices in places like Auldgirth actually benefit the community.

"There is a central area where people can meet.

"My anger is that these people will feel they can no longer exist in a rural community."

NFSP general secretary Colin Baker, who will deliver the petition, said it was "crunch time" for post offices.

POST OFFICES IN CRISIS Despite subsidies of �150m, post offices lost �111m in 2005 Postcomm estimates 1,500 of 8,000 rural post offices make money 72% of subpostmasters are uncertain about the future, says Postcomm Revenue from services withdrawn from post offices by the government has fallen �168m in the past year

"The 28 million customers who use the Post Office every week are confused as to what the government wants of the network and of the people who run it," he said.

Between March 2000 and March 2006, the number of rural post offices in Scotland fell by 12% from 1,285 to 1,128.

According to Postwatch, 30 post offices have already shut in Scotland this year.

Among problems faced by post office income is the planned withdrawal of the Post Office Card Account, used by millions to access pensions and benefits.

Almost 400 MPs have signed an early day motion calling for that decision to be reversed.

The campaign is also backed by Citizens Advice.

Severe implications

Jim Mather, Scottish National Party spokesman for the economy, said threats to future of the Post Office would have very severe implications for small communities across Scotland.

The Highlands and Islands MSP said: "When the local post office service is withdrawn that places strain on the ability of the village shop to survive and a focal point of the social fabric of the community is lost."

Conservative MP David Mundell said: "The government needs to understand the importance of the social role played by sub-post offices and therefore needs to take steps to end uncertainty over the future of the network."