SUPERMARKET chains hoping to build new stores should agree to house post offices in them or have their plans rejected, it was claimed today.

SUPERMARKET chains hoping to build new stores should agree to house post offices in them or have their plans rejected, it was claimed today.

Glasgow South MP Tom Harris says an increasing number of the giant retailers, such as Tesco and Morrisons, no longer have post offices in their stores.

He claims it's penalising people who use supermarkets at times of the day when high street post offices are shut.

Now Mr Harris wants supermarket bosses to be told: "Reserve space for a post office or don't make an application."

He has tabled a motion at Westminster congratulating supermarkets which continue to accommodate post offices within their stores and deploring the decision of those which have excluded long-established offices.

Mr Harris says the action is being taken "often for purely commercial reasons and without regard for their customers' convenience".

His motion calls on planning authorities across Britain to impose conditions on any new supermarket development to oblige the applicant to offer to accommodate a post office within any new store.

He also wants a guarantee of a minimum period during which the post office's tenancy rights would be protected.

Mr Harris has become increasingly concerned about the closures since a post office was axed at a Morrisons store in his constituency.

The Newlands branch later reopened in new premises at 243 Kilmarnock Road, Glasgow - 400 yards from the previous outlet - more than a year later.

Meanwhile, the Post Office has announced the reopening of Skye Crescent post office in Paisley today.

The branch was forced to close in December, leaving the community without access to services.

Now it will reopen in the same premises at Skye Crescent.

It will be open Monday to Saturday 9am to 5.30pm and Sunday 9am to 12.30pm.