LABOUR Party members in the Leominster constituency who fear postal services are being "disembowelled" are launching a campaign to save rural deliveries.

Activists expressed alarm at a party meeting after receiving information on proposals by Post Comm to sell off all postal services by 2006.

"That suggests that the rural delivery of mail will become a thing of the past as franchises cream off the city and town centres," said Labour's Leominster constituency press officer Barbara Stewart.

"It is now a matter of public concern that our postal services should not be disembowelled in order to save the face of Consignia."

She said Consignia, Post Watch and Post Comm were created under the Post Office Service Act 2000.

The question raised at the local party meeting was why no inquiry had taken place on Consignia which was in £650 million profit two years ago but was now "in dire straits and seeking to redress the balance with desperate measures."

She said that last week Consignia bought a 25.1 per cent stake in the Czech Parcel Company for £1 million and, earlier last month, in Schlumberger for £70 million.

Local Labour members fear potential impact on unprofitable rural mail deliveries could also affect village post offices and are seeking helpers to mount a campaign. The party's contact number is 0845 456 0147.