THE YATE Crown Post Office closed yesterday as part of a national strike over jobs and pensions.

Members of the Communication Workers Union and Unite walked out in protest at the closure of offices, job cuts and changes to the pension scheme.

Despite 118 of the Post Office’s 305 Crown offices being closed, the organization said that almost 99 per cent of its 11,600 branches remained open.

Rob Wotherspoon, branch secretary of Bristol and District Communication Workers Union said “The overwhelming support from Post Office members for the strike should give the Post Office board serious thought about the destructive and short sighted policy they are following.

“The current approach from Post Office management is only leading to Post Office closures and the running of the service into the ground.

“We urge the government to intervene to save the Post Office. We also urge the current board to resign; as they have shown themselves as inept, greedy and unable to be trusted to steward this public service.

“Many people who do not have access to computers depend on the Post Office and they will be left isolated if it is allowed to be needlessly ruined.”