A VEIL of uncertainty hangs over post offices throughout Worcestershire despite a package of measures announced by the Government this week aimed at securing the long term future of the network.

It is expected that 2,500 rural and urban post offices in the UK will close as a result of restructuring, which is part of the Government's proposals.

But it could be nearly two years before any post offices close. The Government is to undertake a three-month national consultation exercise on its proposals and next summer the Post Office will draw up local plans which it will put out for public consultation.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Trade and Industry said: "Once the framework has been agreed in early summer next year, it is down to the Post Office to do local consultations. It is thought the Post Office would want to start that in the summer and it could be another 18 months before desicsions are taken and any closures made."

Mrs Barbara Blackburn, who runs Suckley Post Office with her husband Roger, said: "I am a bit numb. Everyone is at risk. We are in limbo. We do not know what is happening and who will be going. We will just have to wait and see. People are saying they hope we are not going."

Mid Worcestershire MP and chairman of the Trade and Industry Select Committee Peter Luff said: "My concern is that the Government has not been honest enough to say that many of the problems have been created by the Government. The Post Office cannot complete fairly for a number of services.

"It is not all bad but the proposals seem to be inadequate and arbitrory. I am sure there are a lot of sub post masters and mistresses in Worcestershire who are very worried."

The Government's package of measures also includes a plan for the Post Office to set up 500 innovative outlets for small remote communities, including mobile post offices, and services in village halls, community centres and pubs.

It is to invest £1.7 billion over the next five years, subject to European state aid approval. This figure includes maintaining the current annual subsidy of £150 million a year.

Trade and Industry Secretary Alistair Darling said: "People are increasingly choosing to access services in different ways resulting in four million fewer people using their post offices each week than two years ago.

"Our strategy aims to protect the national network, equipping it to meet the challenge of today."

Other measures in the package include expanding financial services available at post offices including the provision of up to 4,000 free-to-use ATMs in branches across the country.

Anyone wishing to comment on the Government's proposed framework for the Post Office can obtain a response form by logging onto www.dti.gov.uk and clicking on public consultation. The closing date for comments is March 8 2007.