A campaign to save a post office from closure has been backed by residents with a 500-signature petition.

Managers at Barkingside Post Office, in High Street, are seeking a franchise partner or shop to take over the premises or will be forced to close post office services permanently on the site.

A motion was passed in November to oppose the closure or downgrading of the post office, which is proposed as part of a bid to make up for £40million in losses by the Post Office.

The move will mean a loss of 800 jobs nationwide, despite claims from the Government which says it is investing £1.34 billion into the Post Office.

Barkingside Post Office is one of 76 Crown Post Offices earmarked for closure, leaving only one Crown Post Office in Redbridge in George Lane, South Woodford.

Cllr Wes Streeting said: “We’ve had a fantastic response to our paper petition with over 500 residents already signed up to save Barkingside Post Office.

“We’re in with a fighting chance of saving the Crown Post Office, which is why we won’t give up.

“The existing Post Office is already crowded during peak periods. I just don’t see how downsizing will benefit customers.”

An new online version of the petition can be found here