The Country Landowners Association has applauded government moves to extend rate relief for village post offices and shops.

The move comes amid growing fears for the survival of "these vital keystones of rural community life", claims the CLA.

The organisation has welcomed the announcement that most of the postal and retail outlets in qualifying rural settlements will enjoy continued relief under the 2000 rate revaluation starting on 1 April.

"Indeed, the survival of the village post office or shop is fundamental to the survival of the village itself as a genuine community, rather than simply a collection houses where individuals happen to live," said north Wales CLA regional director Judith Matthews.

Meanwhile, the CLA has backed an energy-saving idea dreamt up to help an Anglesey farm hit by the recession in the industry.

The organisation believes the scheme could generate savings for electricity and telephone customers throughout Wales.

Cash benefits

On Monday, the association launches an electricity purchasing scheme offering cash benefits to its members in a bid to help them recover from the farming crisis.

The scheme will provide savings of between 14% and 22% on business electricity bills and between 7% and 12% on domestic electricity bills.

A similar allied scheme will also CLA Wales members savings of between 10% and 40% on their business and domestic telephone bills.