PENSIONERS are being urged to take action to stop a Marlbrook Post Office being turned into a Chinese takeaway.

Alfred Cross lives next door to the Post Office, in Birmingham Road and couldn't believe it when he discovered the facility, which serves the village and surrounding areas, could close.

His son Derek is taking on the fight and is urging people to write to Bromsgrove District Council highlighting their concerns.

Plans to change the post office, which also houses a newsagents, into a restaurant and takeaway, were submitted to the authority in May.

The next meeting of the planning and highways committee is next Monday.

Derek said: "Many other elderly folk pick their pensions up from there, because it is handy for them and means they don't have to trek into town.

"It serves the whole community which doesn't need a takeaway, it needs a Post Office.

"We've heard residents talking about how the post office will be missed so we need to pull together and let the council know how we feel by writing letters."

A council spokesman confirmed the plans had been received, but didn't know if they would be discussed at the next committee meeting.