An MP has called for a Government investigation into whether the Post Office is using accounting disputes with branches as a back-door means of closing offices.

David Heathcoat-Amory, the former Postmaster General and MP for Wells, has called for the investigation following the plight of two offices in his constituency.

Little Moorland at Chapel Allerton, is set up in a portable cabin as a life-saver to a tiny community. Its postmistress, Rachel Williams, was suspended and the office closed more than seven months ago over a technicality and her contract was later terminated.

Mrs Williams has been told by her bosses not to speak to the press but strongly denies any wrongdoing. Her appeal was heard in November and, although she was told she would hear the outcome in 10 days, she is still waiting.

She has also had to close the village shop.

Along with her husband, Adrian, and 11-year-old son, Mrs Williams moved into a mobile home on the site after setting up a farm six years ago. They decided to take over running the post office service when the previous postmistress retired after 18 years, and moved it to their home, which is also the farm shop.

Villagers were thrilled, and when the office was suddenly closed last autumn the parish council wrote to the Post Office for an explanation.

Mr Heathcoat-Amory has written to Pat McFadden, the Minister of State for Employment Relations and Postal Policy, saying he is unhappy with the way it is dealing with allegations of mishandled accounting. He is asking the Minister's views on procedure, the number of cases under review, and about the specific case of Allerton Post Office.

He said: "I am most concerned at the way the Post Office is handling a number of allegations of false accounting in my constituency. This has led to the closure of at least two post offices even though the matters under dispute have not been settled."

He has been assured that the Post Office's Horizon accounting system is sound but added: "I cannot understand why these matters of dispute are only surfacing now.

"Certainly I have not dealt with such a volume of complaints before, having represented the constituency for over 25 years. There is a strong local suspicion that the Post Office is using these disputes as a way of shutting small local post offices.

"Meanwhile, in the case of Mrs Williams, not only is the post office shut, but she has also had to close the associated village shop so the entire village is without these facilities.

"The sub-postmistress was suspended last June following an audit. She was suspended on a precautionary basis pending further inquiries. An appeal was held last November against the termination of her contract and she will be notified very shortly on the outcome of this appeal.

"We must stress that it is still our wish to retain a Post Office presence in Allerton."