SUPPORT has swelled in a bid to ensure a popular post office in Leigh keeps its existing services and staff.

It comes as plans were announced last month which could see a big changes for the post office in Rectory Grove.

Campaigners, who braved freezing temperatures to protest on Saturday, are calling for proposals which could see new management and staff as well as services undergo major changes, to be scrapped.

Councillors from Southend Council and Leigh Town Council have voiced their support.

Julian Ware-Lane, a Southend councillor, attended the protest. He said: “It was an excellent day. Despite somewhat chilly weather – it snowed all the way through – we had a big crowd and it was well supported, people even tooted in support as they drove past.

“I have lived in Leigh three or four times and I would hate to see the post office suffer. It would be a sad day for Leigh and Southend.

“It wasn’t just activists who attended – there were young and old residents who came to show their support.”

Along with residents and councillors, members of the postal workers union, the CWU, and Southend’s Trades Union Council also attended to show their support.

Other councillors who attended the protest in support included Labour’s Cheryl Nevin, Charles Willis, David Norman and Helen McDonald.

Mr Ware-Lane added: “We want to see the post office retained as it is, we don’t want to see one of Leigh’s main facilities suffer. This is an important campaign, and one I think can be won by people power.”

Carole Mulroney, chairman of Leigh Town Council, says she supports residents in their quest to keep existing post office services.

Throughout the protest leaflets were handed out to passers-by and they were also invited to sign a petition. A total of 475 signatures were taken in two hours.

Several residents have also written to Sir David Amess, Tory MP for Southend West, to ask him if he can do anything to stop the closure of the Post Office.

A meeting has been arranged for Sir David to meet with Laura Tarling, from the post office next month.

In correspondence between the two, Miss Taling said that they were trying to find a franchising partner to take over branches as part of their efforts to secure post office services in communities around the UK. With regards to the Leigh branch, Miss Tarling said they would take time to identify the right partner over the coming months.”