Fears for future of Post Office in Clydesdale

The claim comes amid statements from the Westminster government that it is planning changes to the Royal Mail.

Opponents have alleged that it is "a smokescreen for privatisation".

The vital, but unprofitable, postal collection and delivery network in rural Clydesdale will be among the first victims of any changes, said SNP South of Scotland MSP Aileen Campbell.

Her attack came hard on the heels of two events.

The first was the near miss threat of Lanark Post Office almost closing for the second time in less than 18 months.

This was averted at the last minute but exposed just how vulnerable the town's service had become following the closure of alternative sub-post offices at Westport and New Lanark.

Secondly, in the House of Commons, coalition government minister Ed Davey said that "an injection of private capital into Royal Mail, including opportunities for employee ownership" was now required.

For more information on this story, pick up a copy of this week's Lanark Gazette which is in the shops now.