POST Office User (Letters, January 14) misunderstands the primary reason for my recent meeting with the Post Office area manager.

I contacted the Post Office originally to express serious concern at the amount of time customers were having to wait.

I also made it very clear that this wasn't a criticism of hard-pressed and committed staff but a plea for some new recruits to help them.

Parking was another issue I raised and the subsequent meeting took place because I was totally dissatisfied with the written response I received from the Post Office hierarchy. Far from criticisings staff, I issued a statement following the meeting which directly referred to the excellent job they were doing.

With regard to re-location, I and many others have long argued that the Post Office would be better located in the vicinity of the precinct. This would both boost their customer base and enhance the regeneration of Prestwich. In the short-term it is clear that this is unlikely to happen.

It is disappointing that an approach to Post Office management on behalf of customers, staff and local residents should be presented as an attack on the very staff who I set out to support.

IVAN LEWIS MP,

Bury South.