£1m to help post offices

FINANCE Secretary John Swinney has launched the Scottish Government's £1 million Post Office challenge fund for next year aimed at helping local branches diversify and survive.

Some 49 small post offices around Scotland were awarded up to 25,000 each over the past year to help them provide new services not available locally, such as the sale of fresh produce, setting up an internet cafe or expanding their retail operation through a website.

Mr Swinney said: "Our diversification fund is now helping to sustain post offices playing an integral part in community life, providing services on which many families and local businesses depend."