A PENSIONER'S crusade to save a post office in his Worcester neighbourhood is gathering pace.

Donald Smith, of Stallard Road, off Himbleton Road, St John's, has obtained hundreds of signatures to his petition to save the Henwick Road post office.

He said after knocking on doors he has collected around 400 signatures and is expecting more when he and the deputy leader of the city council, Simon Geraghty, go on another door-knock this weekend.

"Between us I would not be surprised if we got more than 1,000 names," said Coun Geraghty.

Mr Smith said he is very happy with the response and support he has received from residents.

"I found it to be very, very good indeed - I could not have asked for any better," said the 71-year-old retired builder.

"Everybody shook my hand and congratulated me. I never had one person turn me down. Everybody wants this post office."

Residents living in the Martley Road and Henwick Road area of St John's will have to travel to the Bull Ring if the Henwick office closes.

"That is a very small post office," added Mr Smith. "The queue itself is very long and what is going to happen if we lose our post office?

"A lot of people will go to that post office and it won't be able to cope. It is diabolical."

Mr Smith said he no longer thinks much of the Royal Mail.

"They are not thinking of people's happiness, people's welfare, they're thinking of themselves and making a profit.

"Hopefully all this publicity will be good for us."

Protesters have also begun a petition to save the post office in Astwood Road, based inside Astwood Pharmacy, in Rainbow Hill.

The Royal Mail has earmarked these post offices, along with other sub-offices including Malvern Road in Lower Wick, Lowesmoor and The Tything, to close in February.

The firm says the consultation process will last until Tuesday, December 16.

A spokesman said nothing would be finalised until an official announcement, which usually takes place two weeks after the end of consultation.