The Irish Postmasters’ Union has decided not to run its planned candidates in the upcoming general election.

Postmasters are set to run candidates in a number of Munster constituencies in the next general election, as part of their campaign for the survival of the post office network.

A second postmaster has put himself up as an election candidate in the deepening row with the Government over feared post office closures.

Eight candidates are preparing to contest the general election over the threat to hundreds of rural and urban post office services.