Salvation for Warley PO

People power and a Gazette-backed campaign has saved the day for Warley Hill post office in Brentwood.

Postmistress Shireen Uddin received a phone call from Post Office chiefs on Tuesday.

Mrs Uddin said: "They say they are keeping it open."

The post office is contained within a separate newsagents and sweet shop business, known as The Tuck Shop.

A employee at the store said: "This would have closed without the post office and every shop around here would have been affected.

"A lot of the old people who come in here have been worried."

Key campaigner Cllr Karen Chilvers was one of the first to hear the news.

Cllr Chilvers, the chairman of Brentwood and Ongar Liberal Democrats, said: "I am delighted.

"We have worked really hard to save this and it is great for people who live in the area.

"Warley Hill post office is heavily used and they have made the right decision to keep it open."

Warley resident Tony Haywood Biles said: "This is extremely good news.

"Shireen has worked hard, invested heavily and its a pleasure to go in there and get service with a personal touch."

Hanging Hill Lane Post Office in Hutton will however be closed.

It is one of 47 across the county including two in Billericay and one in Moreton near Ongar being shut for good, as announced by the Post Office today.