MORE concerned residents have been campaigning against the closure of a post office.

Almost 50 residents in the Newton Farm area held a petition outside the Brampton Road Post Office which is due to close tomorrow (Friday).

The post office has recently been sold by the former owners, who have taken early retirement.

The demonstration follows on from last week's story in the Hereford Times, which reported many such petitions against potential post office closures around the county.

"Unfortunately the post office side of the business at Brampton Road will close tomorrow," said Jane Thomas, spokesperson for Post Office Ltd.

The nearest facility for residents will be at The Oval or in the Red Hill area of the city.

Councillor Glenda Powell said: "It's not good for the elderly or disabled who can't get to the other post offices. It is a long way for them to go and I don't think many will be able to do it."

The Conservative parliamentary candidate for Hereford, Jesse Norman, said: "This hits the most vulnerable people the hardest, both in the city and our villages. These closures must be stopped."

The Post Office did have some encouraging news for residents in the Brampton Road area after hinting that a solution may not be far away.

"The shop side of the business will continue to be run by the new owners as normal and we are currently looking at all options to try to restore the post office facility in the area as soon as possible," added Ms Thomas.

The new owners did not want to comment.

A public meeting on the future of post offices in the county is due to be held at Saxty's restaurant in Widemarsh Street, Hereford, next Thursday .

Meanwhile, Paul Keetch MP has taken petitions and letters of concern to Westminster, where he has lobbied government ministers.