The couple were not aware that they may be able to claim compensation until the start of the public inquiry last month. Alan Bates, a former postmaster and early campaigner, said: “It’s been one of the problems that the Post Office has had, this issue of people who have moved away and moved on with their lives.

“There must be an avenue where the Post Office and the Government are still looking at these cases. My suggestion for postmasters who have missed the deadline is that they should contact the MP of the constituency in which they used to live.”

Angela Richardson, the MP for Guildford, is  reviewing the case. Mr Bates added: “There should be a mechanism for all of this because there will be a hell of a lot more publicity and more people will come out of the woodwork. There should be something there for them.”

The Post Office is reviewing how to assist those who have missed the deadline but is at the mercy of the Government, its sole shareholder, for funding.

It has agreed to make interim payments of up to £100,000 to most of those who have had their convictions quashed, but Neil Hudgell, a solicitor representing many of the victims, has said his clients are still a long way from reaching final settlements. He said the Post Office’s proposed figures for damages were not adequate.

A Post Office spokesman said:  “We want to ensure that full, fair and final compensation is provided equitably for postmasters affected. When the historic shortfall scheme opened, we wrote to thousands of former postmasters, which included those who were traced as living abroad, about how to apply.

“Compensation offers have been made to more than half of the 2,367 eligible applicants to the scheme, and of those the majority have already been accepted and paid. We’re reviewing how we might best find fair solutions for postmasters who come forward in the future with concerns about historical matters.”