Romsey'S MP is urging constituents to back a nationwide petition aimed at saving vital Post Office services.

Sandra Gidley said the petition highlights fears held by the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters that the withdrawal of vital services like the Post Office Card Account could signal the end for thousands of Post Offices nationwide.

"Ending support for the Post Office Card Account is not the way to secure the future of the post office network. I urge everyone to get their Post Office and show their loyalty by signing the petition. The Post Office Account is used by 4.3-million people every week. In my own constituency of Romsey, 3,700 people use it to receive their pensions or benefits.

"Removing services and forcing people to go elsewhere flies in the face of previous commitments from government and might destroy the network," said the MP.

Head of the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters Colin Baker is hoping public pressure will make the government consider reversing an earlier decision to end the contract for the Post Office Account, which allows millions of people to pick up their benefits and pensions at post offices.

"Pensioners feel misled by the Department for Work and Pensions on the Post Office Card Account, with some given just three days notice that benefits would be paid into their bank account instead. The public must voice its opposition to the closure of the Post Office Card

Account to send a clear message that the Post Office network still provides a crucial service to rural and urban communities.

"It is not too late to save the network but we must act now and work together," said Mr Baker.

The Federation fears scrapping the Post Office Account in 2010, will threaten the viability of thousands of Post Offices.

And the Federation claims the Department for Work and Pensions arm is doing all it can to scrap the card account before its planned withdrawal in four years time.

Tony and Ryle Boatfield, who run Lockerley Post Office and a small shop within the premises, are extremely concerned about the proposed changes and the affect it could have on their livelihoods.

Ryle said: "The Post Office is a vital part of our business and the shop depends on it. When the family allowance payments went over to the Post Office Account Card we lost some customers because people had it paid straight into the bank."

The couple have copies of the petition which is filling up fast.

"We only started it last Thursday but several hundred people have already signed it," she said.

"Everybody is furious about this, especially after all the money that was spent on introducing the

Post Office account card about three years ago. Now they want to try to change it again so payments are paid direct into bank accounts. A lot of people, particularly pensioners, don't want the change. The government is trying to sneak it in through the back door. They probably hoped the Post Office Card account didn't work."