Local AM, Alun Davies is encouraging sub-postmasters and mistresses across Ceredigion to act now to access help to make their business more sustainable.

A total of 65 Post Offices have already received a share of the £4.5million Post Office Diversification Fund, with the second round of funding due to close at the end of October.

Alun Davies said: "I have actively supported the reintroduction of the Post Office Fund and made many representations to the Deputy Minister for Regeneration, Leighton Andrews and the First Minister Rhodri Morgan.  I am pleased that the fund is there to offset the effects of the Post Office reorganisation and the current economic difficulties."

"However, only a handful of Post Offices in the county have applied and been successful for funding.  With the deadline just a few weeks away, there is still time for Post Offices to apply for up to £20,000 capital funding and £15,000 in revenue support."

Work has already begun on many of the post offices who were awarded funding earlier in the summer.  The Post Office Diversification Fund is helping to create new ways of sustaining the Post Office by creating new opportunities.

New projects include internet services, on site cafés and financial service centres incorporated into the existing Post Office.

Alun Davies said: "The local Post Office is the cornerstone of many of our communities in Carmarthenshire.  The Post Office fund isn't just a way of sustaining the Post Office - it can also be about enhancing and creating new services in our local communities. 

“The support being delivered by the Labour-led Government in Cardiff Bay is unique to Wales and I hope more Sub-postmasters and mistresses take the opportunity to grow and develop their business now."