INVERCLYDE'S MP is stepping up his campaign to cushion elderly people and low income families from the effects of the move towards a 'cashless society'.

In the light of recent local bank and sub-post office closures Ronnie Cowan is throwing his support behind the 'Save Our Cash' drive.

He is calling for a continued high street presence of post office services across our community.

Mr Cowan said: "We lost the bank and sub-post office within Spar in Port Glasgow and the post office in Wemyss Bay is set to close.

"We are urging people to support their local post office - nowadays it tends to be attached to another business such as a general store.

"We are exploring all avenues to maintain a high street post office ideally within three kilometres of people's homes, for access to free cash.

"A lot of elderly people and people on low incomes want access to money at the post office - down to the last penny."

Paul Loughlin, postmaster at the Cathcart Street Post Office, says ushering in a cashless society is premature when there is such a large section of the community who only use banknotes and coins.

He said: "Many of my customers are aged in their 40s and early 50s and they still use cash.

"I have had older people coming from Port Glasgow since the post office and bank closed there.

"They can access so many services under one roof, which is safer than elderly people getting a bus from here to there.

"I think the idea of a cashless society is way before its time and should start with the next generation."

Mr Cowan says that Sweden moved to adopt a cashless society three years ago and since then there has been a big backlash in the country.

He told the Telegraph: "We have to be confident going forward with a cashless society that we are not ostracising people on low incomes - who cannot pay their bills or end up paying more in transport to access cash."