Alan Wolenscroft and Frank Back both rightly take me to task (Letters, October 28th) for my choice of words on the subject of Evesham's post office. I have also had a similar, well-justified complaint from one member of the staff.

I can see that, in an attempt to be brief, what I said was open to misunderstanding, and I am sorry if I caused any offence. Let me clarify what I meant.

I know that the staff of Evesham's main post office, both at its old High Street and its current Co-op location, have always provided a first-rate service. I further recognise that for some people one geographic location will be better than another - so some will prefer the Co-op.

However, I am convinced that the best interests of the town as a whole would be served by the post office returning to a facility dedicated to postal services.

The Post Office should never have closed the old High Street office. By doing so they made life more difficult for almost everyone and, as we now see, endangered the security of post office provision in the town. Evesham - including the counter staff of the post office - deserved better.

The old building remains empty and available. I am sure it would provide better conditions for the staff - and a better service for the overwhelming majority of customers. Reopening the old post office would also make an important contribution to the vitality of the town centre and High Street.

If that is not possible, I believe that the post office should move to a new, dedicated facility in a prominent and convenient location. The highly competitive nature of the modern retailing world means that no retailer, however long-established or reputable, can guarantee continuity of provision for something as vital as postal services. Another deal like the Co-Op one would simply risk a repeat of this unhappy story in a few years' time - and that would be in no one's interests.

Peter Luff MP, Member of Parliament for Mid Worcestershire, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA.