A PART-TIME outreach service' could save the rural post office, a postmaster has told the Guardian.

As the future of rural and small post offices hangs in the balance, with the announcement that 2,500 facilities are to be closed, Mike Williams has been the guinea pig for the new service.

The Llandeilo postmaster was charged 18 months ago with the task of piloting the service, which sees him running facilities in Llanarthe, Carmel and Ffairfach on a part-time basis.

He sees this as the future of post offices throughout the UK.

But Adam Price MP has slammed the Government's decision to axe services. He argues that the cuts will have a devastating effect on the industry.

Mr Price said: "Many communities are totally reliant on the post office. In a constituency such as Carmarthen East and Dinefwr the post office is also the local shop and provides an essential facility.

"These closures will leave many communities without the vital services they need.

"Instead of simply cutting services and closing post offices, the Government should be producing a sustainable business plan to ensure a thriving industry."

But Mr Williams argues that the outreach service will still provide the facilities, albeit on a part-time basis.

"The three post offices I am responsible for have improved the services on offer," he said.

"Whereas people could not pay their car tax or get foreign currency at these facilities, they can now. Mobile facilities are also being piloted in mid Wales."

Mr Williams believes that services such as those in Upper and Lower Brynaman may be affected because they are in close proximity to each other.

But Upper Brynaman postmistress Anna Scoczen said if one of them was to close the Government would be going against their emissions policy.

"Their policy to close offices within a three-mile radius goes against the emissions policy, because more people would be getting in their cars to access services," she said.

"The Government is contradicting itself."A PART-TIME outreach service' could save the rural post office, a postmaster has told the Guardian.

As the future of rural and small post offices hangs in the balance, with the announcement that 2,500 facilities are to be closed, Mike Williams has been the guinea pig for the new service.

The Llandeilo postmaster was charged 18 months ago with the task of piloting the service, which sees him running facilities in Llanarthe, Carmel and Ffairfach on a part-time basis.

He sees this as the future of post offices throughout the UK.

But Adam Price MP has slammed the Government's decision to axe services. He argues that the cuts will have a devastating effect on the industry.

Mr Price said: "Many communities are totally reliant on the post office. In a constituency such as Carmarthen East and Dinefwr the post office is also the local shop and provides an essential facility.

"These closures will leave many communities without the vital services they need.

"Instead of simply cutting services and closing post offices, the Government should be producing a sustainable business plan to ensure a thriving industry."

But Mr Williams argues that the outreach service will still provide the facilities, albeit on a part-time basis.

"The three post offices I am responsible for have improved the services on offer," he said.

"Whereas people could not pay their car tax or get foreign currency at these facilities, they can now. Mobile facilities are also being piloted in mid Wales."

Mr Williams believes that services such as those in Upper and Lower Brynaman may be affected because they are in close proximity to each other.

But Upper Brynaman postmistress Anna Scoczen said if one of them was to close the Government would be going against their emissions policy.

"Their policy to close offices within a three-mile radius goes against the emissions policy, because more people would be getting in their cars to access services," she said. "The Government is contradicting itself."