AN Andover shop boss is worried that many people are unaware they can still collect their pensions and carry out other benefit transactions through local post offices.

Mr Andrew Thorne, a partner in the Salisbury Road Post Office and shop at the Hexagon, fears some customers believe the only way of getting their money in the future will be by using a bank.

Although the Department of Works and Pensions has been writing to people since December last year not everyone has yet been contacted.

When people receive their form it asks for their bank details but does not make it clear that they can still arrange to collect their money from post offices.

All they have to do is ignore the section asking for bank details and ring a freephone number to start the process.

Even those who have given their bank details can still reverse that decision by informing the Government department.

Mr Thorne has been running a campaign in the shop and is hoping he can retain 50 per cent of his post office customers.

"Post offices are facing a difficult time depending on how many people they retain," he said.

"But people can pay most of their household bills here and there are a lot of other services. Just pop in and see us."