CAMPAIGNERS are fighting to save a village post office.

Residents have rallied round after it was revealed that the branch at the top of Haworth Main Street is earmarked for closure.

Devastated manager Sammy Ahmed, who has run the post office on a temporary contract with wife Samira for nearly three years, has been given notice it will shut on August 26.

Post Office Ltd confirms it is proposing to relocate facilities to the new Co-op store in the village and has begun a public consultation – which ends on August 27.

Mr Ahmed, 59, said: “When I got the call to say it was closing I was absolutely devastated – and a lot of people are upset about it.

“I love the local people and the village and we’ve made some wonderful friends.

“The backing we’ve had from customers following this announcement has been fantastic – I’ve been quite overwhelmed.

“A lot of individuals and businesses rely on us. We provide a whole range of services to the community.

“We also cater for the many tourists who come to Haworth. We help them out with maps and they call here for change – they’re not going to want to walk over half a mile to the Co-op post office to get change.

“There’s also the heritage. There has been a post office at the top of Main Street since Bronte times.”

Post Office Ltd says the move to the Co-op would mean longer opening hours, with the same range of products and services on offer.

It added that it was keen to hear the views of the public about the planned move.

But Worth Valley councillor, Rebecca Poulsen, says people have been treated appallingly.

“Public consultation should take place first and people’s views be listened to before anything is decided – but it’s clear that a decision has been made,” she said. “Signage for a post office is already in place at the Co-op.

“A post office facility within a retail store will not offer the same range of services as a traditional branch.

“There are a lot of businesses and residents who rely on the post office and it is the only one left in the village.

“People feel very strongly about this ­– there are petitions in the post office and shops and online. Also, I have written to Post Office Ltd outlining my concerns.”

Post Office Ltd says the relocation is proposed for September.

A spokesperson said: “The current branch has been run on our behalf by a temporary operator and we have been looking for a more sustainable solution for customers.

“If the move to the new Co-op store goes ahead, customers would access post office services at a low-screened, open-plan, modern serving point. Opening hours would be Monday-Sunday, 7am to 10pm. This offers an extra 69 hours of services per week, including later evening and Sunday opening times, making it more convenient for customers.

“We are starting a period of public consultation and people’s feedback is important to us. We are particularly interested in hearing views on accessibility and the proposed location.

“Customers can share their views at postofficeviews.co.uk with the branch code 301306. Submissions can also be made via comments@postoffice.co.uk, by post to Freepost YOUR COMMENTS, or by telephone 03452 66 01 15 or textphone 03457 22 33 55.”