Britain's beleaguered high streets have been handed a major boost after the Post Office promised cash will remain king.

As a slew of businesses close in the wake of Chancellor Rachel Reeves' successive tax-grabbing Budgets, 11,500 branches continue to remain a lifeline to millions.

And next year, the network is poised to bolster its offering, bringing salvation to communities which have been left high and dry.

Backing this newspaper's Save Our High Street campaign, which continues to unapologetically champion the heart and soul of towns and cities across the UK, Post Office Chief Executive Neil Brocklehurst issued a message of hope, saying: "A post office plays a key role in creating and maintaining a vibrant local high street. Postmasters provide essential face-to-face services - from cash withdrawals and deposits to bill payments and, of course, posting Christmas gifts."

He added: "The Daily Express has championed the Post Office this year and I want to thank the paper and its readers for supporting their local branches.

"In the New Year, we'll look to strengthen the Post Office's presence on the high street with new products and services, working closely with the Government as it sets out its plans for the future of our organisation. In the meantime, I wish Daily Express readers a Merry Christmas and a happy new year on behalf of the Post Office and our thousands of local postmasters."

As scores of big-name banks, building societies, and shops continue to abandon towns and cities, there is growing concern that the heart of communities will stop beating.

But in an upbeat assessment of the future, Mr Brocklehurst said the state-run service can become a beacon of hope and ignite a revival.

He wants the much-loved network to become a one-stop shop for all essential services.

On January 1, a new five-year contract between the Post Office and Cash Access UK, which provides essential banking services, starts.

The Post Office already operates 200 hubs, but the Government wants 350 to be operating by the end of this parliament.

The deal extends the existing partnership and coincides with the start of an agreement with 30 banks and building societies, meaning customers can use their local post office as a branch, thereby protecting access to cash, which has been eroded by the departure of major names.

Banking was a key part of the Government's Green Paper on the future of the Post Office, and the contract secures the role of postmasters providing face-to-face services enabling customers to use branches to withdraw money, deposit cash and cheques, and make balance queries.

Nearly 6,500 bank branches have closed since 2015, but 2.6 million adults still pay for everything, or most things, with cash.

Since 2019, the volume of deposits and withdrawals made over Post Office counters has increased 18% while the value of deposits and withdrawals over the same time has increased by 43%, together totalling more than £42.5 billion.

Last week, the 200th banking hub - owned by Cash Access UK and run by the Post Office - opened in Billericay, Essex.

In many place,s they have become a lifeline - especially for the elderly - as face-to-face services continue long after a branch has shut.

The renaissance of the under-threat Post Office comes after the Government undertook the first comprehensive review of the ailing state-run company in 15 years, sparking panic at the possibility of a slew of branch closures.

One option in the Green Paper is to withdraw the minimum branch requirement, introduced in 2020 by the Tory-Lib Dem coalition after Labour slashed the network in the decade before.

It saw the Express launch the Save Our Post Offices crusade, which prompted an unprecedented show of support for those toiling behind counters.

Although ministers have not responded to the consultation publicly, it is now almost certain that every one of the 11,500 branches in the network will remain operational and be given additional responsibilities and offerings.

The Post Office is convinced it can help revitalise downtrodden and deserted high streets torpedoed by National Insurance hikes, rate and rent rises, help drive economic growth and modernise public services.

Plans include offering advice for small businesses and being the go-to destination to pick up pharmacy prescriptions. In return, it wants ministerial recognition and protection for the unique social value branches offer.

Post Office Minister Blair McDougall said: "I know how much local Post Office branches mean to Express readers, and I welcome the hard-fought campaign to keep them open. Our consultation has once again shown how important postmasters and their services are to local communities"

"We've been clear since launching the Post Office Green Paper that our preference is to maintain the current size of the network, believing this is the best way to protect the crucial services millions of loyal customers and businesses rely on.

"Earlier this year, we announced over £500 million of extra funding to transform the Post Office and modernise branches, as well as a new agreement that will see banking services provided into 2030 as part of our New Deal for Postmasters.

"I am committed to delivering a Post Office that is fit for the future and look forward to announcing the results of our Green Paper early next year which Express readers' views will play a key part in."

Access to cash in the UK has and always will be underpinned by the Post Office network.

I'm delighted that this agreement renewal with Cash Access UK ensures our long-term commitment to work together as our postmasters, and we continue to play an important role in delivering on the Government's commitment to have 350 operating Banking Hubs by the end of this Parliament.

We believe that there's scope for many more Banking Hubs to be opened and operated by our highly experienced postmasters who already provide access to cash to customers every day in their post office branches.

Banking Hubs simply wouldn't exist without the Post Office's role in developing and operating them.

Postmasters are at the heart of their local communities, offering outstanding service, and are the natural partner to operate Banking Hubs, given their expertise when it comes to providing face-to-face everyday banking services.

This new Banking Hub agreement, alongside our new wider agreement with the banks, both of which come into effect on January 1, safeguards the UK's access to cash for the next five years.

Ross Borkett is Financial Services Director at Post Office