The National Federation of Subpostmasters has responded to people threatening to boycott post offices after they watched the television show, Mr Bates vs The Post Office and post masters from Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire have also weighed in

Subpostmasters are urging people not to boycott post offices in in response to ITV show Mr Bates vs The Post Office.

The television show tells the true story of subpostmasters who were falsely accused of theft, fraud and false accounting. Between 2000 and 2014, more than 700 staff members were falsely prosecuted based on incorrect information from the Post Office's Horizon computer system, while hundreds others had their lives left in tatters as they were held accountable for missing funds.

After the four-part show aired on ITV this week, the National Federation of SubPostmasters has voiced concerns that community postmasters will be adversely affected by the outpouring of feeling generated by the show – something that has been reiterated by local subpostmasters.

"We are aware of social media posts where people have threatened to boycott post offices due to the ITV drama, Mr Bates vs the Post Office," said a spokesman from the organisation.

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"The Horizon scandal is the biggest miscarriage of justice ever seen in the United Kingdom.

"As postmasters ourselves, it has been harrowing to watch.

Also: Why Mr Bates deserves a CBE

"Whilst the reaction from the general public to what the victims have experienced is understandable, the outpouring of feeling towards the Post Office for their role in this scandal across social media may be detrimental to our businesses today — by association.

"Postmasters have already been the most affected by this scandal, so we urge the general public to continue to support your local post office.

"Post offices are the beating heart of local communities.

"Postmasters are investors and 98% of post offices are privately owned. Many have their life savings in their business, and they need your continued support.

"They are important contributors to local economies and are, collectively, a major employer in the UK.

"Your local post office delivers vital services to the most vulnerable in your community: providing parcel and letter collection and despatch.

"It provides access to cash, essential utilities plus banking and Government services; without the post office network, millions of people would be cut adrift from these vital services."

Santhosh Mandala is the postmaster at the Balderton Post Office in Newark and said he had found the show “upsetting”.

He said he wasn't aware of the fact that people had been calling for a boycott of the post office on social media but understood why they would be angry.

"The public need to know that here we are self-employed.

"No one that works here was responsible or did anything wrong.

"We genuinely care about our community and are proud of the services we offer.

"In our location, we have a lot of pensioners and we help them with a lot of the services we supply.

"They, as well as other members of the community come to us to pay bills, for their banking needs, and other services including currency exchange.

"They're becoming more reliant on us as more banks and businesses close on the high street.

"We understand and support our customers.

"We try to give good service to everyone."

Santhosh said conditions for postmasters were already difficult and the call for boycotting on social media genuinely worried him.

"It is tough because there is a cost of living crisis and there is a lot of competition online for services," he said.

"Financially last year wasn't a great year for us.

"I believe that the publicity from this show if people do decide to boycott could be the final nail in the coffin.

"Most customers don't know that we are self-employed, we have to pay the bills, rent, and wages for the business.

"This could really hurt us and I am worried.

"I support the statement made by the National Federation of Subpostmasters."

Pav Samra from Thurlby Post Office, near Bourne, said he was aware of the programme but hadn't seen any fallout from it yet.

"It hasn't impacted me as of yet," said Pat.

He added that because the programme had only recently aired, it would take more time to see if there was any negative impact.

Suzie Stevens, an employee from the Princess Drive Post Office in Grantham, said she hadn’t seen the programme but it was on her to watch list.

"It is difficult to comment on the show when I haven't seen it," said Suzie.

"However, we make sure all of the figures at the post office are balanced.

"It is important to be vigilant."

Suzie said the post office did a lot of good in the community and was there to help, not hinder.

"We offer people much more than just posting letters, I don't think a lot of people realise just how much they can do at their local post office.

"People come in to do banking and to use a wide range of services.

"It is important that people support their local post offices because if the

post office does go, where are they going to go?

"I have been here a year and I genuinely love my job.

"I like to think that we do make a difference in our community by helping people.

"We get some great people in here and we are a busy post office because we have a car park.

"We go above and beyond helping people.

"There have been a lot of times where we have helped older people understand technology and showed them how to use it to make their lives easier.

"A lot of customers like coming in to have a nice conversation which is just lovely."

The team at Princess Drive Post Office is relatively new with Suzie now the longest serving employee there.

The previous postmaster left last year after 20 years of service.

"One of the ways we have helped the community was by putting in some shelves where people can donate puzzles and books.

"We then sell them for 50p each and put the money towards good causes.

"The money raised from this has gone towards local foodbanks, rebuilding the church spire at St Wulfram’s, and to hospices in the area."

Are you a postmaster and would like to have your say on the issue? Email: news@lincsonline.co.uk