POSTMASTERS should be told if their businesses are earmarked for closure to end the agony of delay.

That was the message from West Dorset MP Oliver Letwin during a business question session in the House of Commons.

He demanded to know why postmasters in his constituency could not be told whether their post offices were among those destined for closure under a review. And he dismissed the reason given for making them wait - political sensitivity caused by local elections being held in some parts of the country next year.

Mr Letwin said: "We are not having elections here in West Dorset, so there is no need for this delay.

"A postmistress in a West Dorset post office that is under threat of closure contacted me because she had had a letter stating she could not be told because of political sensitivity in view of forthcoming local elections next year.

"I now know that these letters had gone to all of them - but there is no need for this unnecessary delay where there are no elections.

"Delay creates a blackout period because while people don't know if their particular post office is under threat, anyone thinking of selling can't go ahead. This is extending the worry needlessly."

He questioned Harriet Harman, leader of the House of Commons, about the letters and told her West Dorset does not have elections next year.

He said: "She gave me the official answer and when she realised there were no elections in West Dorset said she would look into it.

"If I don't get a response in two weeks I shall raise this issue again with her."

He said he expected more MPs to raise the issue in areas where elections would not be held.

He said: "West Dorset is not unique in this. I would like to see more pressure put on to help end this delay and worry.

"Constituents are welcome to write to me about it - it adds ammunition."

Around 2,500 rural post offices across the UK are at risk of closure under government plans to reduce costs.