Philip Dunne MP today exposed the lack of pay points in rural areas for buying television licences following the BBC's decision to cancel its contract with the Post Office.

Mr Dunne said today: "There are only 2 Pay Points in the entire Ludlow constituency, one in Ludlow and one in Craven Arms. Constituents in the Bridgnorth area have to travel to Kidderminster, Shifnal or Telford to buy a TV licence in person.

This makes a mockery of the BBC's claim that the Pay Point system will be more convenient for people to use than the Post Office. Before the new system came into force in July, most of the 48 sub-post offices in the Ludlow constituency sold TV licences and licence stamps.

So much for Government claims for rural proofing. Yet again rural areas have missed out and our Post Offices have lost another source of income from this Government."

Mr Dunne has written to the BBC Chairman and Minister for Culture, Media and Sport to point out this problem for people in rural areas and requesting reversal of this policy.