CAMPAIGNERS fighting plans to shut a popular village post office have vowed to keep up their battle.

More than 100 people attended a public meeting over Post Office Ltd's controversial proposal to axe the Main Street branch in Haworth.

The premises are due to close on July 29.

Amongst those at the meeting, in the village's Old School Room, was Keighley MP Robbie Moore.

He said: "The sheer number of people there sent a very clear message to Post Office Ltd that we want our much-loved post office to stay open.

"It was incredibly disappointing that despite being invited, Post Office Ltd did not attend, and that it is still looking to close Haworth Post Office on July 29.

"Closing this post office sends all the wrong messages – we need to be supporting businesses and local people, not taking away their vital provision.

"The community, residents and businesses have been poorly communicated with by Post Office Ltd and there has been no ambition on its part to keep the service open.

"Despite the post office at the Co-op in Station Road opening, the very last thing the company should be doing is closing Haworth Post Office."

Post Office Ltd says it has listened to feedback and is seeking to open an outreach service at the top of Main Street.

A spokesperson said: "Last year we publicly consulted on a proposal to relocate Haworth Post Office to the Co-op store. The new branch opened in October but following the feedback received, we delayed the merger of the two services to engage further with the local community.

"We established a forum comprising Post Office and Haworth community representatives to identify any possible, sustainable solutions to address the feedback received, including the main issue of concern raised regarding access for elderly and vulnerable customers from Main Street to the new post office in Station Road. At the last forum meeting, we reaffirmed that we wanted to help address the access issues. Therefore, Post Office Ltd proposed opening an outreach service at the top of Main Street. This service would be in addition to the full-time branch in Station Road.

"We are now looking for premises for the outreach service so that services can be maintained for vulnerable and elderly customers after July 29. We would like to thank the community forum representatives and all customers that have contacted us with their feedback."