Tynemouth MP Alan Campbell says people who want to go on collecting their state pension from their local post office will be able to do so.

At the start of a government campaign to inform people of the choices available to them, Alan Campbell said the government was fulfilling its pledge to allow pensioners to use their local post office if they wish.

The Government is giving customers three choices if they want to continue to receive their payments at a Post Office Branch. They will be able to use a current account with a bank or building society with which they have an agreement, a basic bank account, or a post office card account. The Post Office is on track to have this range of banking services up and running by April 32003. Post Office branches have always been the natural place for customers to collect their benefits and there is no reason why it should not continue.

Anyone with questions about collecting their cash from the Post Office they can call the helpline on 08457 22 33 44.