Could any idea have been more brilliant than that of the Penny Post, which the Government set up in 1840, when you could obtain a penny stamp from the many post offices around the county and have a letter delivered to any part of Britain? It was an idea that was so good, it was taken up throughout the world.

It would seem that the Government no longer cares, even though this service is as important today as it ever was.

In many ways, I feel sorry for the Post Office which has been brought to a difficult position by events over which it has little control - things like electronic mail, paying many of the Government's pensions and benefits through the banks and allowing private companies to deliver post.

It does seem that the last idea was a grave mistake because these firms can pick and choose where and what they handle, without the commitments of the Post Office. This means we no longer have a level playing field.

Not everyone, particularly the poor and the elderly, want or feel capable of dealing with banks and, in any case, a great many banks have been closed, removing that option anyway.

It's often the case that the presence of the post office supported the local shop.

But now, with so many people getting into their cars, the loss of the post office has been the final straw that has forced many village stores to close, further isolating the poor and elderly where many would often socialise while shopping.

Additionally, it takes away that place where the rest of the community could get something quickly in an emergency and, in the case of the post office, puts an additional burden on those who wish to send parcels.

Since the Post Office is a state enterprise, it must surely be up to the Government to help by providing loans to allow the Post Office to streamline its operations and install the latest equipment.

If that doesn't improve profitability, then Post Office products are underpriced, in which case the cost of postage has to be increased. These changes would inevitably lead to job losses but, in the long term, it could only lead to a happier workforce.

DERRICK HOLT Fortnam Close Headington Oxford