Petition bid to get PO service restored

Residents in an area of Telford have launched a petition to restore a post office after a major fire four years ago destroyed the store.

Campaigners in Leegomery have launched the bid. But the Post Office has said it was confident the needs of local people were covered by its existing network.

Petition co-ordinator Ron Plenderleith said more than 600 people, including Telford & Wrekin council leader Andrew Ede, had signed the document.

He said the council leader had pledged to lobby Post Office bosses on behalf of the residents.

"We desperately need a post office in Leegomery. Since the fire four years ago, residents including old people and young mothers with toddlers, have to travel to Wellington or Hadley to buy stamps and collect benefits.

"We are prepared for a long battle," said Mr Plenderleith, of Dover Drive.

He praised the council for rebuilding the store that contained the old post office and which is expected to reopen around Christmas time. He added: "It's about three-quarters completed and we are happy with that. But we need it to have the post office counter facility."

A Post Office spokesman said: "We are confident that the present network of branches within Shropshire will ensure a more stable and sustainable service for customers in the long term."