A CAMPAIGN to “Save The Cheque” could be launched in Huddersfield.

Councillors are urging the local authority and MPs to fight to save the chequebook – due to be phased out by 2018.

A motion to be put to Kirklees Council on Wednesday will seek support for the campaign.

The proposal has come from Lib Dem councillors John Smithson, Kath Pinnock, Christine Stanfield, Cahal Burke and David Ridgway.

They fear that many Huddersfield people – particularly the elderly – still use cheques on a regular basis and will be badly hit by the plan.

The councillors also fear that many small businesses would suffer.

Chequebooks were first introduced 350 years ago but the British Payments Council said cheque use was in “long-term, terminal decline”.

Chief executive Paul Smee said: “There are many more efficient ways of making payments than by paper in the 21st century, and the time is ripe for the economy as a whole to reap the benefits of its replacement”.

The goal is to ensure that by 2018 there is no scenario where customers, individuals or businesses still need to use a cheque.