A campaign to save the pension book, backed by thousands of Powys County Times readers, could be about to win an important concession.

According to the newspaper's two local MPs, the Government is developing an 'exceptions service' allowing pensioners to be paid by cheques which can then be cashed at Post Offices.

A petition signed by 4,600 readers was delivered to Downing Street and the efforts of the County Times were highlighted during a Commons debate on the issue of Post Office closures.

The signatures calling for a halt to plans to scrap the pension book by 2005 were presented by Montgomeryshire MP Lembit Opik and Brecon & Radnor MP Roger Williams.

Lembit said that thanks to the efforts of the County Times the Government was looking at the alternative cheque book based solution.

His colleague Roger added: "The response to the County Times campaign is proof that a huge number of pensioners want to keep their pension book.

"It appears that the County Times is far more in touch with the wishes of the public than the Government."

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