BHAVNA Desai, the new president of the National Federation of SubPostmasters, has pledged to fight for a stronger Post Office network.

Mrs Desai, who lives in Kearsley and runs Newtown Post Office in Swinton, has pledged to ensure subpostmasters are properly rewarded for the work they do and are given more work by the government.

A subpostmaster for 23 years, Mrs Desai promised to make representations at the highest levels within government and the Post Office on behalf of subpostmasters.

She was elected national president at the federation’s annual conference and immediately called on the Government to “think Post Office first” when awarding new contracts.

A new DVLA contract expected later this summer must be awarded to the Post Office, she said, as a sign ministers are making good on their promise to make the network the “front office” for new and existing government services.

She added that this contract should be the first of many awarded to the Post Office over the coming months.

Mrs Desai has served as the federation’s North West executive officer for five years.

She said: “As subpostmasters, we have invested our life and blood — our money and time — in our post offices. It is not just a job for us, it is our lifeline.

“I am determined to help secure a brighter, stronger future for the post office network and secure the significant £2 billion investment subpostmasters have made with their own money into our network of post offices.

“The post office is a precious national asset and must be supported by government, both nationally and locally, through more work.”

Mrs Desai, who also manages Tootal Drive post office in Manchester, said she welcomed the forthcoming Network Transformation Programme, which will see the creation of 4,000 new main post offices and 2,000 new local post offices, alongside 5,500 branches which will remain the same.

However she added: “Post Office Ltd must ensure this programme is viable on business terms and for subpostmasters.”

Mrs Desai is the first Asian national president of the federation. She was born in Gujarat, India, and came to the UK 35 years ago.

She added: “A large proportion of the UK’s subpostmasters are Asian. They are hard working, forward-looking business people.

“I feel Indian in my heart and British in my thinking.

“While I feel my election means I have achieved something on behalf of my community, we are all proud to be part of the wider British family of subpostmasters and I look forward to working on behalf of all subpostmasters across the UK.”