A council in the Outer Hebrides has criticised plans to cut services at a local post office.

The decision to reduce services at a Post Office in the Outer Hebrides has been condemned by a local council.

North Uist Community Council has claimed the move to cut operations at Paible Post Office at Bayhead so it opens just six hours a week would not be embraced by the area's inhabitants.

According to the Press and Journal, the site is now one of only three posts offices left on the island, which means people may need to search out parcel delivery alternatives to send some packages.

Peter Rintoul of the council told the newspaper: "The Post Office calls this an 'outreach service' and claim it is necessary because there is no proven demand for the service.

"The community fails to see how this minimalist and inconvenient outreach service can give any positive measure of demand."

Another area where residents could soon be looking for Post Office alternatives is Ellesmere, as the Border Counties Advertiser reports a sorting office in the area is set to close at the start of next month.

Article Added: 22/05/2009 09:16:02