* Leeds residents sign petition to save lifeline facility for estate in Kirkstall
* MP and local councillors thrown weight behind campaign
Residents in Hawksworth Wood are fighting to save their local post office
Residents on a Leeds estate have launched a campaign to restore their local post office.
Residents on the Hawksworth Wood estate in Kirkstall found their post office was closed in August without prior notice.
Interviews are currently ongoing to find a new operator on the estate but residents claim the local community has been left in the dark about when or if they will get their post office back. Residents have held a rally and signed a petition - and a Facebook page has also been launched.
Chair of the Hawksworth Wood Community Association, Stephen Rennie, said:
"There were hundreds of people that signed the petition this weekend, and turned up for a photo outside the closed post office. The community needs its post office, and I hope one will be returned as soon as possible."
Campaigners have won the backing of Leeds West MP Rachel Reeves. She said:
"I was really disappointed that the Post Office had closed on the Hawksworth estate. It is my local ost office and I know that many people rely on its services, particularly the many elderly people and families nearby.
"I have been in close contact with the Post Office over the last few weeks, and I will continue to do all that I can to ensure that services resume there as soon as possible. It was great to see how many local residents came out to support their post office – they are clearly finding it difficult to get to the closest alternative."
Kirkstall councillor John Illingworth added:
"The nearest post office is around a mile away uphill on Butcher Hill. Also, many people in Hawksworth Wood don't have access to a car. We need services back in the Hawksworth Wood estate, and I encourage people to sign the petition to ensure that this happens."
To sign the petition, e-mail rreevesmp@gmail.com with the subject heading 'Post Office petition', or write to Rachel Reeves MP, Unit 10, Armley Park Court, Stanningley Road, Leeds LS12 2AE.
A Royal Mail spokesman said:
"We apologise to customers for the temporary closure of Hawksworth Estate Post Office and we can assure them that we are doing all we can to reopen the branch as soon as possible.
"We are in discussions with an interested party about the vacancy and, as soon as we are in a position to confirm our plans, we will make an announcement."