CALLS for an end to the closure crisis in the Post Office network were renewed, as a York postmaster held talks in the city with the shadow work and pensions minister.

Philip Hammond's visit came after a four million-name petition was handed in to Downing Street, urging Tony Blair to safeguard the future of 14,500 local post offices.

About 2,500 have been shut over recent years with the network struggling to survive following the loss of crucial Government contracts.

It is believed to be the largest petition ever delivered to a British PM - and about 2,000 of those signatures came from customers at Bishopthorpe Post Office on Main Street.

Glyn Drummond, the postmaster of six years, welcomed Mr Hammond's visit, saying: "As the shadow minister, he needs to know what is happening on the front line and have direct contact with postmasters.

"The fact is the Government is taking so many government responsibilities away from us. The biggest blow has been taking away the Pension Allowance. Although it was archaic, it was a big part of the Post Office income. One of the main problems of postmasters is that their income has gone down over the yeas or stayed static."

"The main issue now is the withdrawal of the Post Office Card Account (POCA) in 2010."

POCA enabled benefits to be paid over the counter, but from 2010, claimants' money will be paid into their bank accounts.

Mr Hammond, who was accompanied around York by Julian Sturdy, Conservative candidate for York Outer, said: "There has been a gradual erosion of the sub post office network, and the failure of the Government to recognise the vital social role they play. There are a number of threats, and direct Government support for the network is at risk. The withdrawal of the Post Office Card Account could seriously reduce the amount of income subpostmasters earn to the point where they become non-viable. The objective has to be to protect the network.

"The issues and problems surrounding local village post offices at the moment are huge and have been highlighted by the petition handed in to the Government.

"We need to protect and support our local post offices as they provide a vital service to our communities, especially in the villages surrounding York."

Mr Hammond also visited York Credit Union at Priory Street, and Footsey 100, the largest social economy trade fair in the UK, held at York Racecourse.