The move has come in response to the ongoing nationwide review which will result in the closure of 250 Scottish post offices by 2009.

The Government and the Post Office have been urged to consult with Fife Council before making any closure decisions in the Kingdom.

Speaking at a meeting of the full Fife Council, Howe of Fife councillor David MacDiarmid said he believed that once lost, post offices would never return.

He said: "Post offices provide the social glue in rural areas and much needed social support in deprived areas.

"They also play a crucial role in supporting small businesses.

"The removal of services like post offices doesn't square with our vision and we cannot allow closures to continue across Fife without a fight."

Councillor MacDiarmid also wants the national Government to take a leaf out of Fife's book and consider the post office first when awarding contracts for services.

Senior council officials will be meeting with Post Office officials at the start of May to discuss the situation.

They will also be reviewing the amount of business the council's new payment system, which allows people to pay their council bills at PayPoints, has generated for the local post office network.

Cupar councillor Margaret Kennedy believes when it comes to post offices, people have to come before profits.

She said: "The Government and Post Office Ltd. need to recognise this and engage in meaningful consultation with the council before they make any decisions.

"The location of post offices needs to take realistic account of local plans and accessibility for people who are walking and using public transport.

"For example, Post Office Ltd. says that 99 per cent of people in rural areas will be within three miles of an office but, just imagine — that could mean one outlet serving all the rural communities around Cupar.
"How can that be accessible to everyone?"