That is the nightmare scenario being suggested as the campaign
continues to save the Westport and New Lanark sub post offices and another sub-office in Lesmahagow, all earmarked for closure.

Rumours have been growing in Lanark that even the main Post Office in St Leonard Street — expected to provide the area's entire postal service after the closures — is not safe from the cutbacks.

There is speculation that, as in various other locations, the Post Office will move into the local branch of WH Smith's, in Lanark's case on the High Street or into some other shared premises in town.

However, the postmaster for the St Leonard Street office, Mr Maqsood Deen, told the Gazette this week that he had heard nothing of such a scheme.

But he added this did not mean that such a move might not happen or was being planned without his knowledge.

"I'll probably be the last to be told!", he frankly told the Gazette.

So we contacted WH Smith...and it totally denied that such a move was in its current plans.

Sadly, as the Gazette went to press on Tuesday it was announced that the sub post offices in Westport, New Lanark and Lesmahagow, were to close.

Aileen Campbell, SNP MSP for South of Scotland, strongly condemned the decision by Post Office Ltd to go ahead with the closure - despite massive opposition among affected communities.

"Hundreds of people across South Lanarkshire and North Ayrshire expressed their outrage at the proposals, and I share that outrage.

"Local Post Offices are community assets, not just commercial outlets. They often form the heart of a row of shops or hub for other amenities."

Local voluntary work organiser Ed Archer, said he thought a legal challenge could be mounted on the ground that the consultation period over the closure plan recently completed by the Post Office was improperly conducted.

"There should, at least, have been a public meeting held to gauge local feeling.

''The fact that political parties from throughout the whole spectrum, left, right and centre, in this area are all against the local closures speaks volumes.

"I really resent this 'It's The People's Post Office' newspaper, radio and television campaign being run at the moment.

''If it is the people's Post Office, why not let the people have a say in its future?

''That ad campaign presents a picture very far from the reality of the situation."

The issue is one of the few which seems to have united all Clydesdale's politicians.

Local MP Jim Hood has made public his strong opposition to the rural post office network being further eroded.

Meanwhile, Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale Conservative MP David Mundell presented a petition of nearly 3000 signatures to No 10 Downing Street calling for the Post Office Card Account (POCA) to be saved.

He is helping local subpostmasters and Post Office users to send a message to the Government that thousands more Post Offices could close unless they are given the right to continue handling state pensions and benefits.

Mr Mundell delivered 1,500 post cards — from people across his constituency — calling for the POCA to be saved.