A VISUALLY impaired Malvern pensioner has condemned new keypads ins-talled at Post Office counters as "impossible to use".

The electronic pads are des-igned to cut down on fraud by replacing benefit books and Giro cheques, which are to be phased out. All Post Offices are to get them by April 1.

Instead of handing over a book, people claiming benefit will swipe a card and punch in a number on the pads.

However, Sally Vinton, of Clerkenwell Crescent, said they were too small for blind and visually impaired people to use without assistance. She pointed out that many people who claim pensions have failing eyesight.

"It's impossible to use without help," she said. "It's not only visually impaired people, I think it will affect a lot of others."

Sandy Bannister, director of Worcestershire Association for the Blind, was "extremely concerned" about the new pads.

"Many blind and partially sighted people cannot use the key pad because the buttons on the pads are fiddly, and the numbers and screen are very hard to use," she said.

"Our members are really worried about how they will manage to collect their pensions, and they don't want to depend on Post Office staff or have to ask friends or family for help."

She advised anyone with a visual impairment to continue using their order book or giro cheque "until the Post Office offers a system they can use". She added there may be grounds for a challenge under the Disability Discrimination Act.

Post Office spokesman Dane Panes said people can also receive benefits by direct debit into their bank account or by setting up an account at the Post Office.

He added that a report highlighting the difficulties faced by people with sight problems who want to use the keypads has been published, and the Post Office is looking at ways to counter them.