VILAGERS packed into Abbotskerswell Church House for a public meeting to discuss the fate of their post office.

Last month Post Office Ltd formally started consultation into proposals to close the branch.

At a meeting held on Thursday residents voiced their concerns to Post Office representatives, MP Richard Younger-Ross and Postwatch.

Campaigners are concerned that, if their branch closes, people will find it difficult to get to the nearest counter which will be in either Kingskerswell, Newton Abbot or Ipplepen.

So far 230 letters of objection have been written and on Monday about 50 residents will make the two-hour round trip to Newton Abbot to highlight the difficulties they would face if their branch closes.

Abbotskerswell Parish Council has been leading the campaign. Chairman David Munden said: "We were very pleased with the turn out. The hall was packed and people concentrated on the real issues of saving the post office rather than getting tied up in the emotions of it.

"There is no question that the more people we get to write individual letters it will demonstrate how the closure is going to affect them and better our cause."

Although there is an hourly bus service to Newton Abbot, Mr Munden said it would take 'the best part of two hours' to go to the post office and back.

"There are already difficulties with Newton Abbot Post Office, which is situated at the back of Cost Cutters, with its positioning in the town and the lack of people serving customers," he said.

Post Office representatives listened to residents concerns and admitted they had already reached their 18 per cent 'target' for post office closures in the county without adding Abbotskerwell to the list.

Options put forward by Post Office Ltd have included keeping the post office open, moving it into the village shop, providing a mobile service or a delivery service whereby villagers can ring Post Office Ltd and get stamps delivered.

Teignbridge MP Richard Younger-Ross added: "There are a number of reasons why the alternatives offered by Post Office Ltd are not viable. There is no transport to Kingskerswell, the first alternative counter, and you cannot walk it. The second option is Newton Abbot but the bus terminus is still a long way from the post office at Cost Cutters.

"Hopefully we can persuade the Post Office to change their mind. It's vital people do not give in. We need to get everyone to write in."

Residents, who are fighting to keep the current branch open, said the post office was busy and the village shop thriving.

A Post Office spokesman said: "The proposal to close Abbotskerswell Post Office branch is currently subject to local public consultation and we are actively seeking the views of those who may be affected by the proposal. "At the meeting with Post Office customers and their representatives we were able to listen to their views and answer questions. No decision will be reached on the future of the branch until consultation has concluded and all the feedback has been reviewed.

"The public consultation period for Abbotskerswell began on August 5 and all representations should be received by September 22."

Residents can continue writing letters to Post Office Ltd outlining the possible ramifications if they lost their branch. Arrangements will be made for any letters handed into the village branch to be sent freepost to Post Office Ltd and copies will be taken for consumer watchdog Postwatch and Abbotskerswell Parish Council.

A booklet containing details of the decisions relating to the network changes are available on the Post Office Ltd website www.postoffice.co.uk/networkchange

Send letters direct to Tim Nickolls, Network Development Manager c/o national consultation team, FREEPOST consultation team.