STRUGGLING country post offices may become travel agents - selling train and bus tickets to boost their business.
They could also get computers so they can act Gucci Bags as mini branches of High Street banks.
It is part of Government plans to save sub-post offices, now closing at the rate of 350 a year.
Premier Tony Blair is desperate to woo back rural voters, particularly after being hand-bagged at the Women's Institute conference.
Rail companies are being pressed to sell tickets through post offices.
And big banks, which have been pulling out of country areas, are being urged to follow the Co-op Abbey D Handbags and Alliance and Leicester by letting post offices do some of their business.
It could transform previously doomed sub-post offices into villages' thriving financial centres. The scheme will be tried out in Scotland before being extended to the rest of Britain.
Government minister George Foulkes said: "The potential is huge.
embroidered patches
"People can already pay their gas, phone, TV and national insurance bills through the post office.
"This would allow absolutely everything to be done there. It could be the saviour of the rural post office."
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